Wrist And Elbow Specialist

Tobin Bone and Joint Surgery

Joseph P. Tobin, MD, FAAOS

Orthopedic Surgeon located in Hilton Head, SC & Pooler, GA

Wrists and elbows have little protection and are vulnerable to injury. If you injure your arm or have chronic pain in the joints, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Joseph Tobin, MD, of Tobin Bone and Joint Surgery, can help. At offices in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Pooler, Georgia, Dr. Tobin diagnoses wrist and elbow disorders and offers effective conservative treatments. He also excels in using minimally invasive surgical techniques to resolve problems in the wrist and elbow. To benefit from Dr. Tobin’s extensive experience, call your nearest Tobin Bone and Joint Surgery office or book an appointment online today.

Wrist and Elbow Q&A

What are common wrist and elbow problems?

Many problems can affect your wrists and elbows. Some that Tobin Bone and Joint Surgery sees frequently include:

Tendon and ligament injuries

Tendons (which secure muscles to bones) and ligaments (which connect bones to each other) can overstretch, tear, or completely rupture. You can also develop overuse injuries where there’s irritation and inflammation in the connective tissue. Examples of tendon and ligament problems include:

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Ulnar collateral ligament tears

Sports and work injuries are common causes of these wrist and elbow problems.

Arthritis

Arthritis causes joint deterioration and inflammation, resulting in chronic pain, stiffness, weakness, and, eventually, loss of function. Arthritis can affect any joint and takes numerous forms, the most common being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Bursitis

Bursitis is an overuse injury affecting small sacs of fluid called bursae in your joints. These sacs act as cushions, but they can sometimes become inflamed and chronically painful.

Fractures and dislocations

Traumatic injuries like fractures and dislocations are common in the wrists and elbows. They are often a result of putting your arms out to save yourself when you fall.

How are wrist and elbow problems treated?

Before recommending a treatment program for your wrist or elbow, Dr. Tobin diagnoses the cause of your symptoms and assesses the damage. Tobin Bone and Joint Surgery has on-site X-ray facilities, and if necessary, Dr. Tobin can refer you for a detailed MRI of the joint.

Initial treatments are likely to include conservative measures like:

Rest and activity modification
Physical therapy
Anti-inflammatory medications
Thermal therapy
Wearing a splint or brace

If you’re not feeling much improvement with these approaches, Dr. Tobin might recommend a joint injection containing a steroid — a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that has a long-lasting effect.

Would I need surgery for wrist and elbow conditions?

If you have a severe fracture, you would probably need prompt surgery to repair the bone and tissue damage. Otherwise, Dr. Tobin finds that many patients recover from their wrist and elbow conditions without needing surgery.

There are occasions when non-surgical treatments are ineffective, which might lead to surgery. Or a chronic condition like arthritis could be responsive to begin with but become less so as the disease progresses. In these situations, Dr. Tobin can perform surgery to resolve your symptoms.

Examples of surgeries he does on wrists and elbows include carpal tunnel and ulnar tunnel release, and tendon and ligament repair and restoration (including Tommy John surgery for ulnar collateral ligament tears). Dr. Tobin uses minimally invasive techniques like arthroscopy to perform wrist and elbow surgery where possible.

To find an effective solution to your wrist and elbow pain, call Tobin Bone and Joint Surgery or book an appointment online today.

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