Elbow
- Elbow Pain
- Conditions
- Procedure
Elbow Pain Dubai – Overview
Elbow pain can be quite a discomforting and limiting experience, impacting daily activities from simple tasks like reaching for objects to more complex ones like sports or hobbies. Whether it’s a sharp twinge or a dull ache, elbow pain can significantly reduce your quality of life.
At OrthoPro Clinic, we understand the impact that elbow pain can have, and our team of specialists is dedicated to providing personalised treatments to help you regain full function and comfort. From advanced therapies to minimally invasive procedures, OrthoPro Clinic offers comprehensive elbow pain treatment in Dubai and care to address and alleviate your elbow pain effectively.
What do we understand by Elbow Pain?
Repetitive stress or excessive strain on the tendons around the elbow joint can lead to overloading, especially where the tendon connects to the bone. When this happens, it can result in pain around the elbow, particularly during movements involving the wrist and hand. Recovery time varies depending on the acuteness and location of the injury, and in some cases, it may take several months to fully heal.
The most common form of elbow pain is known as “tennis elbow,” while a similar, less frequent condition is “golfer’s elbow.” Despite their names, these injuries can be caused by various activities, including racquet sports, rowing, canoeing, weightlifting, hockey, wrestling, swimming, and repetitive tasks performed in different occupations.

Causes of Elbow Pain
Following are some of the most common elbow pain causes:
Elbow dislocation
An elbow dislocation occurs when the bones that make up the joint are forced out of alignment, as when you fall onto an outstretched hand. They can also occur from any traumatic injury, such as motor vehicle accidents. When the elbow is dislocated, you may experience severe pain, swelling, and lack of ability to bend your arm. Sometimes, you cannot feel your hand or may have no pulse in your wrist because arteries and nerves that run along your elbow may be injured.
Elbow fractures
A fracture is a common injury to the elbow. Elbow fractures may result from a fall onto an outstretched wrist, direct impact to the elbow, or twisting injury. Elbow fractures may cause severe pain, swelling, tenderness, and difficulty in movement. If a fracture is suspected, immediate intervention by your doctor is necessary. Surgery is often required if a bony displacement is observed.
Tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow
Tennis elbow is the inflammation of muscles on the outside of the elbow whereas tendinitis on the inner side of the elbow is golfer’s elbow. Overuse of the arms or a traumatic blow to the hand may cause tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. These injuries may cause severe pain and tenderness of the affected muscles that radiate down into the forearm, particularly with the use of the hand and wrist.
Adequate rest and immobility of the affected part help the muscles to recover, and modification of the activities helps in better healing. A tennis elbow strap may relieve the pressure from the muscle attachment. Pain medications may be recommended to relieve pain and inflammation. Heat therapy, followed by stretching and strengthening exercises, and then ice massage may be beneficial.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation of any of the tendons in the wrist. It is usually treated with adequate rest, splinting, ice application, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the inflammation.
Symptoms of Elbow Pain
Symptoms of elbow pain may include:
- A weakened grip
- A dull ache while at rest
- A tenderness around the bony area of the elbow
- A pain when extending the fingers (linked to tennis elbow)
- A discomfort when clenching the fist (associated with a golfer’s elbow)
- A pain and difficulty when attempting to hold objects, particularly with the arm extended.
Elbow Pain Treatment
Conventional Approach
Treatment options for elbow pain can include:
- Exercises designed by a physiotherapist to progressively strengthen the tendons
- Soft tissue massage
- Ice therapy
- Taping or using a brace for the elbow
- Anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications may help manage discomfort, but they don’t improve long-term outcomes
Surgical Intervention
Surgery may be considered in serious cases where pain persists for over 12 months. It is now recognized that corticosteroid injections may have negative long-term effects, and they are generally no longer recommended in most situations.
Here are concise descriptions of some of the elbow surgeries:
Endoscopic Cubital Tunnel Release: This surgery addresses cubital tunnel syndrome by relieving compression on the ulnar nerve. A small incision is made, and an endoscope is used to view and release the tight ligament pressing on the nerve. The minimally invasive nature of this procedure aids in quicker recovery and reduced post-operative discomfort compared to traditional open surgery.
Golfer’s Elbow Surgery: In severe cases of golfer’s elbow, when conservative treatments fail, surgery may be required. This involves removing or repairing damaged tendons at the inner elbow, alleviating pain, and restoring function. Post-surgery, patients undergo rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility.
Tennis Elbow Surgery: For persistent tennis elbow that doesn’t improve with non-surgical methods, surgery may be needed to remove damaged tissue and promote healing of the tendon. The procedure focuses on the outer elbow, and recovery includes physical therapy to restore full use of the arm.

Seek the right elbow pain treatment in Dubai at OrthPro Clinic
At OrthoPro Clinic, receiving the right treatment for elbow pain is key to restoring function and improving quality of life. Whether you’re dealing with cubital tunnel syndrome, golfer’s elbow, or tennis elbow, the expert surgical team is equipped with advanced techniques, such as endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures, to provide effective solutions. Early intervention and personalised care can help you get back to your daily activities pain-free.
OrthoPro Clinic is here to guide you toward a full recovery with treatments tailored to your specific needs.
Elbow Overview
The elbow is a complex joint formed by the articulation of three bones – the humerus, radius, and ulna. The elbow joint helps in bending or straightening of the arm to 180 degrees and lifting or moving objects.
The bones of the elbow are supported by:
- Ligaments and tendons
- Muscles
- Nerves
- Blood vessels
Bones and Joints
The elbow joint is formed at the junction of three bones:
The humerus (upper arm bone) forms the upper portion of the joint. The lower end of the humerus divides into two bony protrusions known as the medial and lateral epicondyles, which can be felt on either side of the elbow joint.
The ulna is the larger bone of the forearm located on the inner surface of the joint. It articulates with the humerus.
The radius is the smaller bone of the forearm situated on the outer surface of the joint. The head of the radius is circular and hollow, which allows movement with the humerus. The articulation between the ulna and radius helps the forearm to rotate.
The elbow consists of three joints, namely:
The humeroulnar joint is formed between the humerus and ulna and allows flexion and extension of the arm.
The humeroradial joint is formed between the radius and humerus and allows movements like flexion, extension, supination, and pronation.
The radioulnar joint is formed between the ulna and radius bones and allows rotation of the lower arm.
Articular cartilage lines the articulating regions of the humerus, radius, and ulna. It is a thin, tough, flexible and slippery surface that acts as a shock absorber and cushion to reduce friction between the bones. The cartilage is lubricated with synovial fluid, which further enables the smooth movement of the bones.
Muscles of the Elbow Joint
There are several muscles extending across the elbow joint that help in various movements. These include the following:
Biceps brachii: Upper arm muscle, enabling flexion of the arm
Triceps brachii: Muscle in the back of the upper arm that extends the arm and fixes the elbow during fine movements
Brachialis: Upper arm muscle beneath the biceps, which flexes the elbow towards the body
Brachioradialis: Forearm muscle that flexes, straightens and pulls the arm at the elbow
Pronator teres: Muscle that extends from the humeral head, across the elbow, and towards the ulna, and helps to turn the palm facing backward
Extensor carpi radialis brevis: Forearm muscle that helps in movement of the hand
Extensor digitorum: Forearm muscle that helps in movement of the fingers
Ligaments and Tendons of the Elbow
The elbow joint is supported by ligaments and tendons, which provide stability to the joint.
Ligaments are a group of firm tissues that connect bones to other bones. The most important ligaments of the elbow joint are the:
Medial or ulnar collateral ligament: Comprised of triangular bands of tissue on the inner side of the elbow joint
Lateral or radial collateral ligament: A thin band of tissue on the outer side of the elbow joint
Annular ligament: Group of fibers that surround the radial head, and hold the ulna and radius tightly in place during movement of the arm
Together, the medial and lateral ligaments are the main source of stability and hold the humerus and ulna tightly in place during movement of the arm.
The ligaments around a joint combine to form a joint capsule that contains synovial fluid.
Any injury to these ligaments can lead to instability of the elbow joint.
- Tendons are bands of connective tissue fibers that connect muscle to bone. The various tendons that surround the elbow joint include:
Biceps tendon: attaches the biceps muscle to the radius, allowing the elbow to bend
Triceps tendon: attaches the triceps muscle to the ulna, allowing the elbow to straighten
Nerves of the Elbow
The main nerves of the elbow joint are the ulnar, radial and median nerves. These nerves transfer signals from the brain to the muscles that aid in elbow movements. They also carry sensory signals such as touch, pain, and temperature back to the brain.
Any injury or damage to these nerves causes pain, weakness or joint instability.
Blood Vessels Supplying the Elbow
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-pure blood from the heart to the hand. The main artery of the elbow is the brachial artery that travels across the inside of the elbow and divides into two small branches below the elbow to form the ulnar and the radial artery.
FAQs
See a doctor if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by swelling, weakness, or loss of motion.
Doctors use physical exams, X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds to identify the cause of elbow pain.
Yes, many cases improve with rest, physical therapy, medications, or injections.
Surgery may involve tendon repair, nerve release, or removing damaged tissue, depending on the condition.
Recovery varies but generally takes a few weeks to months, with physical therapy for full mobility.
Our Panel of Experts:

Dr. Ashish Soni
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Subspecialist in Knee, Shoulder & Hip Surgery

Dr. Herve Ouanezar
US Fellowship-Trained Orthopedic Surgeon – Specializing in Knee & Hip Surgery and Sports Medicine
Golfer's Elbow Surgery
At OrthoPro, we recognize how elbow discomfort can impact daily activities and overall well-being. That’s why our Golfer’s elbow surgery in Dubai is tailored to address pain, improve function, and prevent further damage—ensuring you can continue enjoying your favourite sports and activities.


Tennis Elbow Surgery
At OrthoPro, we know how elbow pain can disrupt with your daily routine and impact your quality of life. That’s why our tennis elbow treatment in Dubai is tailored to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent future injuries—helping you get back to your favourite activities without discomfort.
Endoscopic Cubital Treatment
Are you experiencing persistent elbow pain, or have encountered any elbow injuries? Do you feel numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand or fingers? It could be a sign of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, a condition that affects the ulnar nerve as it passes through the elbow. Left untreated, it can severely impact your daily activities, making even the simplest tasks difficult.
