Orange County Elbow Pain & Injury Doctor
Persistent elbow pain deserves expert care. Our fellowship-trained Orange County specialists provide personalized treatment, from conservative therapies to advanced surgery, based on your condition and recovery goals.
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons
Personalized Treatment Plans for Every Patient
Serving Los Angeles & Orange County
Dr. Tracey Didinger, MD
Precise Diagnosis
Exam, imaging, and nerve testing reveal the cause of your pain.
Nonsurgical Relief
Therapy and injections treat most elbow conditions.
Surgical Solutions
Arthroscopy, tendon repair, and nerve release procedures.
Our Los Alamitos Office
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4281 Katella Ave, Ste 120
Los Alamitos, CA 90720 - (562) 732-4578
- Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm
Advanced Orthopaedic Care
4281 Katella Ave Ste 120,
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Why Elbow Pain Deserves Specialist Attention
Most elbow problems develop gradually, not all at once. The pattern often starts with a weekend of painting, a new tennis grip, or a demanding work rotation full of lifting and twisting.
Pain creeps in, fades a little, then returns stronger. By the time you book an appointment, you have probably been compensating for weeks.
That history shapes the diagnosis. Our elbow doctors track how your symptoms started, how they progressed, and what you need your arm to do once you recover.
Specialist evaluation also separates true joint problems from referred pain originating in the neck or shoulder. The accurate diagnosis leads to the right treatment.
Elbow Conditions Treated at Orange County
Patients reach us with a wide range of presentations. Some describe a clear injury date. Others have lived with discomfort so long they can’t pinpoint when it began.
Our elbow doctors treat the full range.
Overuse Tendon Conditions 
Traumatic and Sports Injuries 
Nerve Compression and Radiating Pain
Degenerative and Inflammatory Conditions
Degenerative and Inflammatory Conditions How Our Specialists Diagnose Elbow Conditions
Targeted Symptom History
Your elbow doctor asks where the pain is located, which motions trigger it, and which daily activities have become harder.
Hands-On Examination
Provocative tests isolate tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Your physician evaluates motion in flexion, extension, pronation, and supination, then measures grip strength on both sides.
Imaging and Nerve Studies When Needed
X-rays show bone alignment, fractures, and arthritic changes. MRI examines tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
When numbness or weakness suggests nerve involvement, electromyography or nerve conduction studies confirm which nerve is affected.
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
You leave with a clear diagnosis, your treatment options, and realistic timing. The plan reflects your work, your sport, your prior care, and your goals.
Nonsurgical Elbow Treatment Options
Most patients improve without surgery when treatment matches the diagnosis and begins early.
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Activity Modification and Ergonomic Adjustments
Adjustments to grip technique, workstation setup, or training volume often relieve pressure on inflamed tissue. - Bracing, Splinting, and Counterforce Straps A counterforce brace for tennis elbow, while a night splint for cubital tunnel symptoms. The right device protects healing tissue without freezing the joint.
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Physical Therapy
Therapists guide eccentric loading programs that rebuild tendon resilience, along with exercises for the shoulder and wrist that reduce stress on the elbow. -
Image-Guided Injections
Cortisone injections calm acute flares. Joint and bursa injections target deeper inflammation. PRP injections may help select tendon cases when standard care hasn’t worked. -
Bursa Aspiration and Closed Reduction
Olecranon bursa aspiration drains painful swelling. Closed reduction restores alignment after dislocations or stable fractures. -
Casting, Taping, and Medication
Fiberglass casting for stable fractures. Athletic taping for ligament strains. Anti-inflammatory medication to manage pain during recovery.
Surgical Procedures for Elbow Conditions
Certain elbow conditions require surgical correction, either because conservative care has run its course or because imaging shows damage that will not heal on its own.
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Elbow Arthroscopy
A camera and small instruments address loose bodies, cartilage damage, and joint scarring through tiny incisions, with faster recovery than open surgery. -
Tennis and Golfer's Elbow Release
For tendon pain that resists six to twelve months of conservative care, surgical release of the diseased tendon allows healthy tissue to take over. -
Tendon Repair
Distal biceps and triceps ruptures are reattached to bone, restoring strength for lifting, pulling, and pushing. -
UCL Reconstruction
Throwing athletes with full UCL tears often need reconstruction (the Tommy John procedure) to return to overhead sports. -
Cubital Tunnel Release
Surgical decompression of the ulnar nerve relieves the tingling, numbness, and weakness of advanced cubital tunnel syndrome. -
Fracture Fixation and Joint Reconstruction
Plates, screws, or specialized hardware stabilize complex fractures. For severe arthritis, reconstructive procedures restore function.
Meet the Orthopaedic Doctors Treating Your Elbow Pain
You deserve to know who is caring for you. Our orthopaedic doctors bring subspecialty training, surgical experience, and a patient-first philosophy.
Dr. Tracey Didinger
Dr. Didinger is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery at the University of Colorado.
She previously served as assistant team physician for the NHL Colorado Avalanche and collegiate athletics programs. Bilingual consultations are available in English and Spanish.
Dr. Kushagra Verma
Dr. Verma is a board-certified orthopaedic spine surgeon, fellowship-trained in complex spinal deformity. He serves as a trusted resource for patients whose elbow pain originates from the cervical spine.
Hear From Our Patients
Orange County Elbow Pain & Injury Doctor FAQs
When should I see an orthopaedic elbow doctor?
Schedule an appointment if pain has lasted more than two to three weeks, your grip has weakened, the joint locks or feels unstable, or numbness travels into your fingers.
How long does a tennis elbow take to heal?
Mild cases often resolve within six to twelve weeks of activity changes and therapy. Stubborn cases can require several months. Surgery becomes an option if pain persists past six to twelve months despite full conservative care.
Do I need surgery if I have a UCL injury?
Not always. Partial tears in non-throwing athletes often heal with rest and rehabilitation. Throwing athletes with full tears who plan to return to overhead sports usually require reconstruction.
Why does my elbow hurt when the problem is in my neck?
Nerves running from the cervical spine into the arm can refer to pain along their path. A pinched nerve at C6 or C7 can mimic elbow symptoms even when the joint itself is healthy. Specialist evaluation distinguishes the true source.
What should I do at home right after an elbow injury?
Apply rest, ice, compression, and elevation during the first 48 hours. Place ice over a thin towel for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day. Book an evaluation if you can’t fully bend or straighten the joint, or if pain is severe.
Book a Consultation With an Orange County Elbow Specialist
You don’t have to keep pushing through elbow pain or guessing what it means.
Our Orange County elbow doctors are ready to evaluate your symptoms, explain what is happening, and outline the treatment options that align with your goals.
Schedule your visit today and get answers from an elbow specialist who understands the demands you place on your arm.