About Island Sports Physical Therapy

Our work is challenging and we prefer it that way. Combining competence, compassion, and good old-fashioned “hard work”, we do our most to help each individual achieve their rehabilitative goals. We truly believe that our facilities and staff are successful due to the consistency in offering quality “hands-on” care and personal supervision that is left out in other centers. That’s why we offer our patients some of the best alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island.

At Island Sports Physical Therapy, it is our belief that patients need and deserve education along with their sophisticated sports medicine science and treatment. Equipment alone does not make people better. The intelligent use of education, coupled with exercise and home program development to fit each individual’s needs, is the backbone of our success.

Our hope is that our patients don’t just recover, but they prevent future re-injury and obtain the maximum performance possible!

Alternatives To Elbow Surgery On Long Island

The Elbow

The elbow is not a simple joint. Like the shoulder, it is fairly complex, allowing us to perform a wide range of motions with our arms.  However, because it is so diverse in movements, that leaves opens the door for a wide variety of injuries and pain.

The elbow is made up of three major bone structures, including the upper arm bone or humerus and the two bones that make up the forearm- the ulna, and radius. At the end of each of these bones, there is cartilage that helps aid the quick and smooth movement of the elbow. Cartilage also helps absorb shock or injury from a fall or hit.  The cartilage is supported by even stronger tissues called ligaments which are attached to your arm muscles by tendons. All of these pieces making up the whole system work in unison to grant the elbow flexibility.

Here at Island Sports Physical Therapy, we understand the complexity of the elbow and work to provide various alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island for those suffering from a painful condition or injury. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, be sure to contact our team today!

Common Issues

The entire joint system is surrounded by nerves. Therefore, if anything happens to one part of the elbow, the pain will likely be experienced throughout. Some of the most common injuries and conditions that can affect the elbow are:

• Dislocation
• Fractures
• Strains
• Sprains
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Tendonitis
• Tenddonosis
• Bursitis
• Arthritis

While many of these conditions may require surgery in severe cases, there are steps you can take to prevent them, as well as to avoid surgery if you develop them.

Prevention & Treatment

One of the best ways to avoid common elbow injuries altogether would be to perform strength training and stretching in addition to your other activities. Strength training helps to prepare the body for lifting or throwing any kind of weighted object, reducing the risk of common overuse injuries and conditions. Stretching is also key as it helps to loosen up the joints before and after physical activity.

Should a painful elbow injury or condition affect you, physical therapy is one of the best alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island. A physical therapist will work to assess your condition and create a treatment plan that works for you. Depending on your condition, treatment may include:

• Exercises.
• Manual Therapy.
• Ice and/or Heat Treatments.
• Bracing.
• Lifestyle changes to prevent pain and further injury.

Contact Us For Alternatives To Elbow Surgery on Long Island

Here at Island Sports Physical Therapy, we offer sports and movement training to help athletes avoid elbow pain or serious injury. Our dedicated staff understands that everyone is different and takes the time to accurately evaluate each patient to develop the best possible course for recovery. Should an elbow condition or injury strike you, our team will work to provide the best alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island so that you can recover in a more natural, safe manner!

Recent Blog Posts

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a common condition developed as a result of overuse and repetition of the same arm motions. It is seen in some tennis players, however tennis elbow can happen to any athlete or people that use repetitive arm movements in daily life. The inflammation caused by overuse can cause a lot of pain, but treatment is simple with help from a physical therapist in Suffolk County at Island Sports Physical Therapy. With Suffolk County locations in East Northport, Huntington, Nesconset, and Coram as well as Nassau County locations in Glen Cove and East Meadow, we are conveniently located to serve your needs.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

Weakening of forearm muscles that help stabilize the wrist can lead to tears in the tendons attached to the elbow. Repetitive motions of the wrist and arm are what cause these tendons to degenerate over time. Participating in certain activities or working in certain professions may put you at risk for developing tennis elbow. Some of them including:

• Playing tennis or other racket sports
• Chopping ingredients, especially meat
• Plumbing, painting, or carpentry
• Weight lifting
• Repetitive or excessive computer use

You may participate in one or several of these types of activities, however this condition will only occur after an extended period of strain, not just from occasional use. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, a physical therapist in Suffolk County, we specialize in sports specific therapy as well as orthopedic injuries in order to provide you with the best treatment plan for your tennis elbow.

Do I Have Tennis Elbow?

Below are some symptoms you may be experiencing:

• Pain or burning around the elbow
• Weakened grip
• Shaky hands
• Weakened strength of the wrist and arm
• Difficulty with everyday tasks such as turning a doorknob, holding a cup of coffee, etc.

These symptoms may be consistent with other injuries or conditions as well, so be sure to consult with your physical therapist in Suffolk County at Island Sports Physical Therapy for a full evaluation and diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Tennis elbow is a common condition and treatment can almost always be non-surgical. Physical therapy is one of the best alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island available for alleviating tennis elbow pain, reducing inflammation, and preventing future injury of the tendons.

At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we will provide you with a physical therapy treatment plan that is sport-specific. By customizing the exercises and modalities we use for each individual’s sport and lifestyle, our physical therapists are able to more accurately treat your condition and get you back to the activities you love.

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Even if your tennis elbow is not a result of playing a sport, our experts understand the way muscles interact during motioning. The overall goal of our physical therapy plan is to rehabilitate and strengthen your weakened muscles to relieve your pain and increase mobility. We will also teach you the best ways to move your body to prevent future damage.

If you are suffering from tennis elbow, it is important to seek out assistance right away. Should this injury strike, be sure to contact the team here at Island Sports Physical Therapy to explore your options for alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island today!

Preventing Common Baseball Injuries

With spring right around the corner, many athletes have begun to shift their interests to the start of baseball season. The prospect of running onto the field for opening day is an exciting one for athletes and spectators alike. However, an early-season injury can turn this excitement to dread at the drop of a dime. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, our team of physical therapists wants to stop athletes from suffering a premature end to their season due to injury. By working with our team of experts and exploring alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island, you should be able to avoid falling victim to many common baseball injuries this season.

Common Baseball Injuries

Baseball is a sport that requires athletes to partake in various throwing and twisting movements throughout each game. These motions can put mass amounts of stress on different parts of the body, especially the elbows. Some of the most common elbow injuries faced by baseball players each year include:

• Flexor Tendonitis.
• Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury.
• Valgus Extension Overload (VEO).
• Olecranon Stress Fracture.
• Ulnar Neuritis.
• Pitcher’s Elbow.

Injury Prevention

Throughout the entirety of any sports season, the chance of sustaining an injury is always present. While at times they are unavoidable, it does not mean that athletes cannot take preventative methods to help reduce their risk. The team at Island Sports Physical Therapy knows this, which is why we’d like to provide you alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island. Below are a few options to consider to help prevent many common injuries:

• Offseason Fitness Training: To prepare for the rigors of each season, athletes should spend the off-season training so they can avoid injuries. Our physical therapists can develop the perfect off-season training program to help baseball players stay in shape and increase their athletic output. Since our physical therapists are trained to understand how the body works, it makes them the perfect trainers! 
• Physical Therapy: For many athletes, the desire to play through minor bumps and bruises sustained throughout a season is very common. However, this decision can prove to be detrimental, as it increases the likelihood of an even worse injury taking place. Through the use of stretches and strengthening exercises, our physical therapists can help stop minor injuries in their tracks, getting you back to competing without the need to miss a significant amount of game time.
• Take Time To Warm-Up: While the baseball season extends into the hottest months of summer, the first few weeks take place in March. The cold weather experienced this time of year can cause the muscles to become stiff. Trying to compete in this state is a surefire way to sustain an injury, which is why it is so imperative to always make time for a proper warm-up. By performing a few dynamic stretches and exercises, you’ll increase the blood flow to and flexibility of your muscles, preparing them for the stresses that will be placed on them during the game.  
• Use The Right Form: Muscle and ligament injuries are commonplace in baseball. To help limit the amount of stress placed on these areas, make sure you’re using the proper mechanics for your position. Whether you’re running through the outfield tracking a fly ball, or zipping the ball from third base to throw out a runner, using the form you’ve spent countless hours practicing will go a long way in keeping you on the field. 

Alternatives To Elbow Surgery On Long Island

At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we combine competence, compassion, and hard work to provide individualized care to each athlete that comes to us for alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island. We know how upsetting it can be to miss time from your sport due to a painful elbow injury, which is why we strive to do everything in our power to stop this from happening. If you’re interested in learning more about what can be done to prevent common baseball injuries or discovering alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island be sure to contact us today!   

How Can Physical Therapy Help Me Avoid Surgery After A Sports Injury?

One of the things dreaded most by athletes is having to miss games due to an injury. All that time spent honing your craft and earning your spot as a starting player can be wiped away as a result of one unfortunate play. To make matters worse, you may be under the impression that a long, painful surgery is required to treat the injury. Luckily, our team at Island Sports Physical Therapy can help you avoid going under the knife by providing top-notch alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island as well as alternatives for other invasive procedures to help get you back with your team in no time!

Common Sports Injuries

Throughout the regular grind of a sports season, it can become almost impossible to avoid injury. Our team understands this and can treat patients dealing with some of the most common injuries that can occur during the season. Many injuries seen in sports tend to affect the elbow, which is why we strive to offer various alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island. Such injuries include:

• Sprains.
• Strains.
• Ligamentous injuries.
• Swollen muscles.
• Fractures.
• Discolcations.

Reducing Inflammation

Swelling and inflammation are symptoms that tend to occur almost immediately following an injury. These symptoms can cause large amounts of pain and discomfort for athletes. While you may think surgery is required to correct the issue that is causing these symptoms, that is not always the case. Physical therapy can help reduce swelling and inflammation in the affected area, making it one of the best alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island.

Regaining Your Strength

Whether it be in the muscles or joints, regaining strength is necessary before returning to your game. Physical therapy allows the body to heal from the inside, as opposed to internal surgical methods. By performing strengthening exercises with our physical therapist, the injured areas can begin to heal themselves without the aid of foreign objects. To help start the process of regaining your strength, you may be instructed to perform the following exercises, depending on your injury:

• Pilates crunches.
• Forearm planks.
• Knee extensions.
• Heel raises.
• Shoulder swings.
• Chest expansions.

Strengthening the portions of your body around the injury is another one of the great alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island. Different parts of the body rely on one another for movement and support.  When one becomes injured, strengthening the surrounding area can help pick up the slack.

Improving Range of Motion

Having a full range of motion is an essential part of excelling at a sport, and certain injuries can impede the ability to move freely. One of the main goals of physical therapy, however, is to return range of motion to the levels they were at before suffering from an injury. This can be done through different stretches and exercises carefully planned out by our physical therapists. With the help of Island Sports Physical Therapy, you can get back to moving without the need for a surgical procedure.

Eliminating Your Pain

When the body is affected by weakness, inflammation, and limited range of motion, pain is never far behind. Playing through pain may seem like a viable option, but it can diminish your athletic output in the long run. This may be a reason why so many athletes opt to undergo surgery; they want the pain to go away. However, surgery isn’t always the best option. Because of the reasons mentioned above, physical therapy is an excellent way to alleviate your pain if you have suffered a sports injury. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, our talented staff can help relieve your pain by reducing inflammation, regaining strength, and increasing range of motion!

Make An Appointment Today!

Unfortunately, injuries are just a part of life. Regardless of how prepared you are or how safely you play, being an athlete puts you at an increased risk of suffering a wide variety of injuries. If you have recently suffered an injury while playing your sport, surgery may not be the only option for you. Contact us at Island Sports Physical Therapy to see how our services can help you avoid the long, painful process of getting surgery. We will work to develop personalized alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island to help you avoid surgery and get you back in the game as soon as possible!

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If you are dealing with a painful elbow injury or condition, it is important that you contact our team to explore alternatives to elbow surgery on Long Island that can provide you with the relief you need! Here at Island Sports Physical Therapy, we will work to evaluate your condition and develop a course of treatment that works for you. Getting back into the game, pain-free is our primary goal as a practice and we urge you to contact us for care!