ELBOW | RENTON & MAPLE VALLEY
Elbow Care in Renton and Maple Valley
Dr. Matthew Lyons treats elbow conditions in athletes and active adults, including UCL injuries requiring Tommy John surgery, elbow arthritis and stiffness treated with arthroscopy, and cartilage injuries treated with restoration techniques.
The elbow is easy to take for granted until it stops cooperating. For a pitcher, it is the difference between a season and a rehab year. For anyone else, a stiff or arthritic elbow turns simple things, carrying groceries, turning a doorknob, reaching a back pocket, into daily negotiations. Elbow surgery is a smaller, more specialized field than knee or shoulder surgery, and Dr. Lyons brings dedicated training in these procedures to South King County.
Conditions and Procedures
Tommy John Surgery for UCL Injuries
The ulnar collateral ligament stabilizes the inner elbow against the enormous stresses of throwing. When it tears, reconstruction, known widely as Tommy John surgery, or in select cases a repair, can return throwers to their sport. Read about Tommy John surgery.
Elbow Arthroscopy for Arthritis and Stiffness
Elbow arthritis in active adults often causes catching, locking, and a progressive loss of motion more than it causes constant pain. Arthroscopic surgery can remove bone spurs and loose bodies and release contracted tissue to restore motion. Read about elbow arthroscopy.
Cartilage Restoration for the Elbow
Cartilage defects of the elbow, including osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum in young athletes, can be treated with techniques that restore the joint surface rather than simply removing damaged tissue. Read about elbow cartilage restoration.
When to See a Specialist
Consider an evaluation if you have inner elbow pain with throwing, loss of full straightening or bending, mechanical catching or locking, numbness or tingling into the small and ring fingers, or elbow pain that has not improved with rest and therapy. Early and accurate diagnosis is particularly important in throwing athletes and in adolescents, where growth plates and developing cartilage change the picture.
Request an appointment at the Renton or Maple Valley office.
Take the Next Step
If any of these sound familiar, an evaluation is the next step.