Elbow Hyperextension

DR. ONG KEE LEONG

A hyperextended elbow may cause significant pain and disrupt your daily activities due to restricted mobility. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, it is possible to restore elbow function. Consult Dr. Ong to learn about treatment options for this elbow condition.

What Is an Elbow Hyperextension?

An elbow hyperextension occurs when the elbow joint moves outside its normal range of motion. A hyperextended elbow may cause pain and damage other ligaments in the elbow, resulting in a possible elbow dislocation.

Causes

Sudden and violent rotation of the elbow during strenuous sports and activities
Direct blow to the elbow, forcing the elbow joint to move backwards
Falling on an outstretched arm
Joint weakness due to increasing age or past injuries

Signs & Symptoms

Sharp pain when moving or touching your elbow
Swelling and redness
A popping sensation
Elbow weakness
Decreased range of motion of your elbow
Muscle spasms

Diagnosis & Examinations

Your elbow specialist will conduct a physical examination to test your elbow’s mobility and range of motion. Any swelling or pain may also signal an overextended elbow.

Further imaging tests may be performed, such as an x-ray or MRI scan, to detect broken bones or damaged tissues.

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Options

For minor cases of a hyperextended elbow, non-surgical treatment options will suffice. These treatment methods generally involve relieving symptoms and promoting joint recovery.

They may include:

RICE method
- Rest. Restricting your movement and immobilising your arm can prevent further damage and give your elbow joints time to heal naturally.
- Ice. Applying cold compression to your injured area can alleviate swelling and pain by decreasing blood flow to the area.
- Compress. Applying pressure to your injury can help to minimise swelling and reduce inflammation.
- Elevate. Elevating your elbow above your chest level can minimise swelling by reducing blood flow.
Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen can reduce inflammation and minimise pain.

Surgical Option

Surgery may be recommended in the case of a severe injury, especially if there are damages to the surrounding ligaments or bones. The two common surgical procedures are open elbow surgery and arthroscopic (key-hole) elbow surgery. Both of these surgical methods aim to repair damaged tissues and restore joint stability.

An open elbow surgery involves creating a large incision on your elbow to remove the damaged tendons and reattaching them.

In contrast, arthroscopic (key-hole) elbow surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that involves smaller incisions and inserting a tiny camera inside your shoulder to identify and remove damaged tissues.

Why Do Patients Choose
Dr Ong Kee Leong?

Dr. Ong Is Passionate In Sports, Giving Him A Deep Understanding Of Sports-Related Injuries And How They Can Be Treated
Personalised And Professional Approach To Deliver High-Quality Orthopaedic Care Based On The Most Up-To-Date Literature
Fellowship Trained Surgeon With 15 Years Of Experience In Orthopaedic Conditions
Detailed Aftercare Plan To Ensure Smooth, Long-Term Recovery
Problem-Oriented, Well-Organised & Individualized Treatment Plans Catered To Your Specific Needs
Specialist In The Management Of Sports Injuries & Degenerative Conditions Of Shoulder & Knee Joints
Knowledgeable and pleasant clinical staff to assist you with your every need detailed aftercare plan
Our Care Is Conveniently Accessible At Mount Elizabeth Novena and Farrer Park Hospital
Minimal Waiting Time For Initial Consultation
Assistance With Medical Claims (e.g. Medisave & Integrated Shield Plans)

“At our clinic, we generally try to explore non-surgical treatment such as activities modification, physiotherapy and orthotics before recommending invasive intervention options.”

DR ONG KEE LEONG

About Dr. Ong Kee Leong

Senior Consultant, MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Dr. Ong Kee Leong is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon. He subspecializes in shoulder and knee, foot and ankle, hand wrist and elbow surgeries, arthroscopic sports surgery, and the management of sports-related injuries.

He has been registered with the Singapore Medical Council as a specialist in Orthopaedic Surgery since 2011.

MBBS, National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Medicine 2001
Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 2007
Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery (NUS) 2007
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Orthopaedic Surgery 2011
Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) Scholarship, Ministry of Health 2012-2013
Sports Surgery and Arthroscopy in Germany (Hannover)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Lee Kong Chian School Of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University
Senior Clinical Lecturer, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS

Read full bio

Billing & Payment

Consultation fees are charged based on length of consultation,
and start from SGD$150 (within 30 minutes).

Modes of Payment

We accept the following modes of payment:

Cash
PayNow & PayLah
All major Credit Cards

If you are insured and would like to use a Letter of Guarantee (LOG) from the major insurers in Singapore, please contact us and our friendly clinic staff will assist you and provide more information if required.

Can I Claim Through My Medisave Account? (For Singaporeans and PR)

Yes, you can. Our Clinic is an accredited day surgery clinic by the Ministry of Health. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents may use their Medisave for eligible orthopaedic inpatient procedures and hospitalizations.

The exact amount would depend on the complexity of the procedure. If you have any enquiries, feel free to speak to our friendly clinic staff about using your Medisave account.

Integrated Shield Plans (Singaporeans and PRs)

Yes, patients who have purchased Integrated Shield plans with riders for co-insurance and deductibles will be able to use them in our clinic for eligible procedures. For more information, contact us to find out if your procedure is claimable.

The 6 Approved Integrated Shield Insurers are: