Elbow instability: should I be concerned?

Elbow instability can cause a lot of stress and worry for patients, often leading to concern about how it will impact daily life. Revered consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Mr Angelos Assiotis is here to reassure you of any worries you have regarding the situation.  

When does elbow instability become a serious cause for concern?

Elbow instability can be classified into two categories: acute (recent) or chronic. It becomes cause for concern when it starts causing symptoms that limit how patients function in their everyday lives and it begins to negatively impact doing what they enjoy most.

Symptoms of elbow instability may only be present when a patient participates in sporting activities or even become evident in simple daily activities, e.g. getting up from a seated position. Simply put, when elbow instability becomes noticeable, action must be taken.

How can elbow instability affect a person’s quality of life?

Depending on the specific subtype of instability and its severity, elbow instability may affect simple activities of daily living, such as lifting a heavy kettle or other item.

In cases where elbow instability is less evident, it may only cause symptoms when patients participate in sporting activities involving their arms, such as doing press-ups at the gym. On the other hand, in chronic cases, symptoms may manifest as elbow arthritis, which can present with pain, clicking and stiffness.

Does it always need to be surgically treated?

Elbow problems do not always require surgery, and this is the case with elbow instability. It can often provoke mild symptoms, therefore, in such cases, we may advise patients to modify their activity levels, in order to avoid movements that may lead to symptoms.

Physiotherapy is highly successful at restoring movement, and strengthening the muscles around the elbow, which improves symptomatic instability. However, if these measures are unsuccessful, your doctor may suggest surgical management.

How can elbow instability be treated non-surgically?

Physiotherapy, administered and supervised by an experienced practitioner, is key in treating mild cases of instability. Physiotherapy, in conjunction with advice on how to avoid movements or forces that are more likely to cause elbow instability, is often sufficient in treating patients with mild cases of instability. However, if this approach fails, or if the elbow presents with significant instability, surgical management will play a pivotal role in the patient’s journey to recovery.

Who does elbow instability primarily affect?

Elbow instability can affect all age groups. However, it usually presents in younger patients with an active lifestyle, which often includes sporting activities. The condition often manifests in patients following bicycle or motorcycle accidents, and in skating, skiing and gymnastics. Nonetheless, it is also common in other patients who fall down forcefully on their elbows or hands, which is often enough to cause an elbow dislocation and ligament injury.

If you would like to book a consultation with Mr Assiotis, do not hesitate to do so by visiting his Top Doctors profile today.