Bicep tendon ruptures generally occur as a result of ongoing shoulder instability problems - though may sometimes occur as a result of a single forceful impact and in conjunction with rotator cuff tears. The injury results in a tear of the biceps tendon, either complete or partial. This most often occurs at the long head of the biceps tendon, which travels through the shoulder joint to its area of attachment.

Separating near the shoulder into a long head and a short head - both of which attach to the shoulder in different places - the biceps muscle is attached by the biceps tendon to the scapula, or shoulder blade, and the radius bone. This muscle allows the arm to bend at the elbow and the forearm to rotate.

As a result of the shoulder joint's large range of motion, the proximal biceps tendon is more frequently injured than the distal biceps tendon, because of its close proximity to the shoulder.

Those suffering from a biceps tendon rupture may experience sharp and sudden pain that may or may not precede a loud snap or pop. A large bulge in the upper arm above the elbow may also appear, along with an indention near the shoulder - possibly accompanied by bruising, pain or tenderness.

Risk Factors
Since a biceps tendon rupture most often occurs as a result of chronic tendonitis or long-time shoulder instability problems, they most often affect athletes and active individuals continuously exposing their shoulder to extreme force, such as throwing and other overhead activities that over time weaken the shoulder joint and increase the vulnerability of the biceps tendon.

Ongoing shoulder impingement and other shoulder instability problems left untreated or causing gradual degeneration within the shoulder joint will increase the likelihood of a biceps tendon rupture.

Treatment
Following a thorough examination of the arm and shoulder in motion and assessment of patient history and lifestyle, a treatment plan is selected. Patients with a history of shoulder pain and instability may require magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in order to assess the condition of the rotator cuff muscles and shoulder joint.

Conservative treatment has proven successful in treating biceps tendon ruptures and may entail cold compression in order to reduce swelling, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and a period of rest followed by a rehabilitative strengthening and flexibility program specific to the injury and lifestyle of the patient.

Patients nonresponsive to conservative treatment may require surgical repair.

Also known as olecranon Bursitis, Bursitis of the elbow is most often the result of repeated pressure placed on the elbow. It may also result from an accident.

As a result of the stress, the bursa becomes inflamed. The bursa facilitates the gliding process of extending and retracting the elbow by providing a slippery surface. The inflammation then causes swelling that reduces the space within the elbow joint. Within the confined space, the once slippery bursa becomes rough - causing pain and irritation.

Risk Factors
Most often associated with repetitive stress injuries such as those seen in office workers and athletes, it may also result from a trauma such as a forceful fall or car accident.

Treatment
Following a thorough examination and review of the patient’s history and lifestyle, as well as the manner in which the injury occurred, an x-ray may be indicated to assist in diagnosis and treatment.

Conservative treatment is generally indicated for such injuries and may consist of rest, possibly combined with immobilization, the use of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. A rehabilitative program may also be indicated.

If symptoms persist, the fluid from the bursa may need to be removed and corticosteroid injections indicated. Rarely is surgery required for this condition.

Often accompanied by a fracture, contusions result when the muscles of the forearm and portion of the elbow bone sustain a force such as that in a contact sport. A common injury among athletes, contusions involve bruising and possibly bleeding, which produce stiffness during active range of motion activities.

A contusion can also produce an actute hemorrhagic bursitis or a common chronic olecranon bursitis, depending on the area sustaining the force. A contusion to the ulnar nerve (an area often referred to as the "funny bone") can be very painful and send burning sensations down the ulnar side of the forearm to the ring and little fingers.

Risk Factors
Individuals and athletes involved in full contact sports such as football, baseball and basketball are more likely to be affected by this condition. Contusions can also result from an accident or fall as well.

Treatment
A thorough examination, patient history assessment and discussion of the manner in which the injury occurred will help determine diagnosis. An X-ray may also be taken in order to determine if there is an associated fracture that must first be addressed. After first addressing any accompanying fracture, treatment generally consist of a period of rest followed by rehabilitative range of motion exercises.

Often mistaken for arthritis and tendonitis because of symptom similarities, elbow instability is the weakening or detachment of an elbow ligament - resulting in an unstable elbow joint. The instability can affect the outer, or lateral, portion of the elbow, or the inner, or medial, portion.

Generally caused by athletic throwing activities, or a trauma that resulted in a dislocation, the severity of the instability is determined based on how the injury is classified - actue, chronic (recurring), area of impact and irritation, the direction of the displacement, the degree of displacement, and presence of associated fractures.

Risk Factors
Individuals involved in throwing sports are at greater risk for medial (inner) elbow instability. Lateral (outer) elbow instability is most often diagnosed in those suffering a trauma or earlier repair of a dislocated elbow.

Treatment
A thorough examination, assessment of patient history and discussion of the manner in which the injury incurred may be followed by imaging scans, in order to accurately diagnose the type and degree of elbow instability and ligament disruption.

Treatment for elbow instability is generally conservative and includes anti-inflammatory medication and period of rest. When elbow instability is nonresponsive to conservative treatment, joint reconstruction may be indicated in order to repair the ligaments and restore instability. This is important, because persistent joint instability can lead to degeneration of the joint and an eventual diagnosis of arthritis.

A medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is not a common injury for most individuals, as it most often results when the elbow is subjected to the motion such as that of high velocity pitches experienced in amateur and professional baseball - with balls reaching extremely high rates of speed.

Helping to stabilize the lower and upper long arm bones is a network of ligaments and tendons, which come together at the elbow joint. A high level of continuous force, over time, can lead to irritation, inflammation, cartilage tears, formation of bone spurs and eventual tearing of the MCL.

When the MCL is torn, the stability is compromised. While those suffering from such an injury may retain full range of motion, strength is greatly reduced. While some patients report hearing a "pop" when the ligament tears, it can also occur gradually and remain undetected for a while.

Risk Factors
Those most at risk for an MCL injury are athletes involved in a throwing sport such as pitchers in Baseball. The continuous force required in pitching, particularly at the professional level, places stress on the elbow joint and increases the likelihood of an MCL tear.

Treatment
Following a thorough physical examination and assessment of patient history and manner in which the injury occurred, an x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be indicated. Treatment is then determined based on the severity of the injury and may include a rest from the activity causing the injury followed by rehabilitative exercises.

More severe tears may require exploratory arthroscopy and surgical repair. Popularized by a former professional baseball player, the Tommy John surgery has proven effective in treating these types of ligament tears. Known to doctors as medial collateral ligament reconstruction the procedure is short and quickly restores strength by using a ligament-tendon exchange.

While less common than a biceps tendon rupture, the triceps tendon - located at the back of the upper arm and inserting into the back of the elbow - can become inflamed and rupture when subjected to severe stress such as that experienced while lifting heavy weights or pushing a very heavy object. It can also rupture when arms are used to break a fall.

Symptoms of triceps tendon inflammation or a rupture may include elbow pain at rest or during activity, painful swelling at the back of the elbow, and a reduction in elbow function.

Risk Factors
This type of injury is most likely to occur when an exercise or endeavor is approached overzealously, or without proper conditioning. Opposing muscles should retain the same amount of strength. If the biceps muscles are much larger and worked for strenuously than the triceps muscles, the triceps muscles and surrounding tissue become increasingly vulnerable.

Treatment
A thorough examination of the triceps muscle and arm in motion will help confirm diagnosis and determine the best treatment option. Those patients with a history of elbow pain may require imaging scans, in order to assess the condition of the elbow joint and surrounding tissue.

Conservative treatment has proven successful in treating triceps tendon inflammation or ruptures and may entail cold compression to reduce swelling, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and a period of rest. A rehabilitative program specific to the injury will also be indicated a play a large role in recovery.

Those cases nonresponsive to conservative treatment may require surgical repair.

Serving as the primary stabilizer for the elbow joint, the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) consists of anterior, posterior and transverse bands. When the anterior band - which most prominently impacts valgus stability - is stressed, it can tear or rupture.

The type of force required to damage the UCL in this way generally comes from overhead and throwing sports such as competitive volleyball, swimming, and baseball. During the acceleration of an overhead throw or movement, the largest amount of valgus force is placed on the elbow - while the forearm disproportionately lags behind the upper arm causing valgus stress. The elbow becomes dependent on the anterior band of the UCL for stability. The extreme acceleration can cause the valgus force to overcome the tensile strength of the UCL and result in either chronic microscopic tears or an acute rupture.

When a tear occurs, patients generally report feeling a "pop." There may also be weakness and poor arm function.

Once career-ending injuries for athletes, today better diagnostic techniques and treatment makes it no more than a minor set back.

Risk Factors
Those at greatest risk for UCL injuries are competitive athletes involved in overhead sports - continuously subjecting their elbow to high acceleration flexion and extension activities.

Treatment
Following a thorough examination and assessment of patient history and manner in which the injury occurred, an imaging scan is performed.

Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may require only a change in activity for a period of time, followed by rehabilitative exercises. More severe tears and injuries nonresponsive to conservative treatment may require exploratory arthroscopy to identify the severity of the damage and surgical repair.

An effective procedure used to repair such ligament injuries and popularized by former major league pitcher, Tommy John, is the Tommy John surgery - also known as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. During this procedure the damaged ligament is replaced with tendon from another part of the body, in order to restore strength to the elbow and forearm.