Elbow Doctors & Surgeons in New York
Our Top Elbow Doctors:
Written by: Dr. Popovitz.
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon | Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center | FAAOS
Co-Founder, NY Bone & Joint Specialists | Lenox Hill Hospital - Northwell Health
Recognized: New York Magazine Best Doctor | New York Times Super Doctor | IAOS Leading Physician of the World | IAOS Top Orthopedic Surgeon in New York
Date Published: July 17, 2018
Last Updated: December 17, 2018
Last Medically Reviewed: December 17, 2018
This page has been written and reviewed by a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of clinical experience. All clinical claims are supported by peer-reviewed literature and current AAOS and AOSSM guidelines. See References section below.
Book a consultation
Prompt Appointments Available
Upper East Side: 1198 Third Ave | Midtown: 425 Madison Ave
Surgery performed at Lenox Hill Hospital - Northwell Health
Struggling with elbow pain? New York Bone and Joints’ expert elbow doctors can help you return to a pain-free lifestyle.
Whether you’re dealing with a sporting injury or a long-term health condition, our elbow specialists combine advanced diagnostic techniques, current research, and personalized treatment strategies to develop a plan that targets both your pain and the underlying issue.
We provide comprehensive treatment for all types of elbow conditions, from minor strains to complex fractures. With offices located across the Big Apple and a reputation as one of the best places for elbow surgery in New York City, we can help you reclaim your pain-free life.
What are the causes of elbow pain?
Elbow pain can stem from various sources, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. Understanding the root cause is essential for effective treatment and prevention of future issues.
Our elbow doctors will work with you to diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan that gets you on the path to recovery quickly.
Overuse Injuries
Repetitive motions from sports like tennis, golf, or baseball can strain the tendons and muscles around the elbow joint. These activities often lead to conditions like tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, which develop gradually over time.
Acute Trauma
Falls, direct blows, or sudden impacts can cause fractures, dislocations, or severe sprains. Sports injuries, workplace accidents, and everyday mishaps frequently result in immediate elbow pain requiring urgent medical attention.
Arthritis
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the elbow joint, causing chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. These degenerative conditions typically worsen over time without proper management and treatment.
Nerve Compression
Conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome occur when nerves become compressed or irritated, often causing pain that radiates down the arm along with numbness and tingling sensations.
Bursitis
Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the elbow joint can cause localized pain and swelling, particularly around the bony prominence at the back of the elbow.
What are the symptoms of elbow pain?
Recognizing elbow pain symptoms early allows for prompt treatment and better outcomes. Symptoms can vary significantly depending on the underlying condition and its severity.
Key symptoms to watch for:
Pain and Discomfort: Pain may be sharp and sudden with acute injuries, or dull and aching with chronic conditions. The pain might worsen with specific movements, gripping activities, or even at rest during severe cases.
Stiffness and Limited Motion: Difficulty bending or straightening the elbow fully often indicates joint problems or inflammation. Morning stiffness that improves with movement suggests arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
Swelling and Inflammation: Visible swelling around the elbow joint, particularly after injury or with inflammatory conditions, requires medical evaluation. Heat and redness may accompany the swelling.
Weakness and Instability: Difficulty gripping objects, reduced strength in the arm, or a feeling that the elbow might “give out” can indicate significant injury or nerve involvement.
Numbness and tingling: Sensations that extend into the forearm or fingers often indicate nerve compression or damage, requiring specialized evaluation and treatment.
Clicking or Popping: Audible sounds during elbow movement, especially when accompanied by pain, may indicate cartilage damage or loose bone fragments within the joint.

Where to find the best elbow surgery in New York City
For decades, New Yorkers have relied on our esteemed elbow surgeons. What sets us apart as a leading choice?
- Prioritizing Joint Health: Your joint well-being is paramount, essential for an active and healthy lifestyle.
- Comprehensive Care: Our distinguished specialists provide expert, compassionate support for diverse elbow conditions, from initial diagnosis to complete rehabilitation.
- High Success with Non-Surgical Treatments: Over 90% of elbow problems we see are successfully addressed with our orthopedic therapies, frequently eliminating the need for surgery.
We are dedicated to your full recovery, providing both conservative treatments and, when required, expert surgical intervention.
Read our patient reviews below.
How do our elbow doctors treat pain?
We prioritize non-surgical approaches to elbow recovery, guiding you every step of the way. Surgery is considered only when necessary, although all our elbow specialists are skilled surgeons.
Our Non-Surgical Care Involves:
- Rest and Activity Modification: Refraining from aggravating activities alongside gentle exercises to maintain mobility.
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises for strength, flexibility, and enhanced range of motion.
- Medication Management: Options range from over-the-counter pain relievers to stronger medications for acute discomfort.
- Reduce Inflammation: Ice applications for recent injuries and inflammation; heat for muscle stiffness and chronic pain.
- Supportive Devices: Temporary support, like bands or slings, may be recommended to stabilize the elbow during recovery.
Other options we may suggest include:
Injection Therapies: For significant or persistent pain, we offer corticosteroid injections. These injections provide pain relief that can last for several months.
Surgical Procedures: Complex injuries such as hand fractures typically necessitate surgical intervention. Procedures like setting or pinning bones may be required to facilitate proper healing. Our surgical team possesses extensive experience in performing a wide array of invasive treatments.
What are some of the conditions our elbow orthopedic surgeons treat?
Our elbow surgeons treat several conditions right here in New York. Below are just some of the elbow conditions we commonly encounter:
- Biceps Tendonitis and Biceps Subluxation
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Elbow Arthroscopy
- Elbow Fracture
- Elbow Sprain
- Golfer’s Elbow
- Selfie Elbow
- Tennis Elbow
Our best-rated elbow specialists in NYC
New York Bone & Joint Specialists is committed to providing top-tier care, focusing on the enduring health and function of your joints for complete peace of mind.
We emphasize the preservation of natural bodily structures, enabling 90% of patients to achieve recovery without surgery and promoting long-term joint well-being.
Our highly skilled doctors possess decades of experience in treating elbow conditions, mobility problems, and injuries, delivering expert, specialized care. Details about our expert team can be found above.
Elbow Conditions & Treatments
Hand and Wrist Doctors: FAQs
You should consult an elbow specialist if you experience persistent pain lasting more than a few days, severe injury with immediate intense pain, numbness or tingling in your arm or fingers, inability to move your elbow normally, or visible deformity.
Early intervention often leads to better outcomes and faster recovery.
Recovery time varies significantly depending on the condition and treatment approach.
Minor strains may resolve within days to weeks with proper care, while chronic conditions like tennis elbow can take several months. Our specialists will provide realistic timelines based on your specific diagnosis and treatment plan.
Your initial consultation includes a comprehensive medical history review, physical examination of your elbow and surrounding areas, discussion of symptoms and their impact on daily activities, and potentially imaging studies if necessary.
We’ll explain your diagnosis clearly and discuss all available treatment options.
Prevention strategies include proper warm-up before activities, using correct technique in sports and work activities, taking regular breaks from repetitive tasks, maintaining good overall fitness and flexibility, and addressing minor pain before it becomes severe.
Our team provides personalized prevention strategies based on your lifestyle and risk factors.
Finding the best elbow doctor near you involves doing diligent research online before you book an appointment. Don’t be afraid to ask questions before you visit a doctor.
It’s good practice to read previous patient reviews, check a surgery’s website for accreditations, and chat with your medical insurance provider beforehand.
Patient Reviews
You can book your appointment with New York Bone & Joint online by submitting the appointment request form here:
Book an appointmentOur Locations
-
Upper East Side: Full Service Orthopedic Center & Walk-In
1198 3rd Avenue, Between 69th and 70th Street New York, NY 10021Physician appointments: Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat 8:30am–4:30pm
Physical therapy: Mon–Fri 7am–7pm, Sat 8am–2pmPhone: (212) 759-4553 -
Orthopedic Doctor Midtown Manhattan NYC — New York Bone & Joint Specialists
425 Madison Ave, Suite 200 (second floor) New York, NY 10017 (corner of East 49th Street)Physician appointments: Mon–Fri 8:00 am–6:00 pm
Physical therapy: Mon–Fri 7 am–7 pm, Sat 8 am–2 pmPhone: (212) 759-4553 -
Orthopedic Doctor Upper East Side NYC — New York Bone & Joint Specialists
130 E 67th St New York, NY 10065Physician appointments: Mon–Fri 8:00am–6pm, Sat 8:30am–4:30pm
Physical therapy: Mon–Fri 7am–7pm, Sat 8am–2pmPhone: (212) 759-4553