1577 Roberts Drive, Suite 225, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Jacksonville Beach, FL · Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute

Elbow Surgery
in
Jacksonville, FL

The elbow is a hinge joint with a nerve running through it that most people don't think about until it stops working. Dr. Graham treats the full elbow spectrum — from cubital tunnel nerve compression to complex fracture reconstruction to elbow replacement. He is the #1 elbow arthroplasty volume surgeon in Northeast Florida, performing linked and unlinked replacements and accepting revision cases.

When to See Dr. Graham
  • Ring and small finger numbness, especially when the elbow is bent
  • Outer or inner elbow pain with gripping, lifting, or racquet sports
  • Sudden pop at the front of the elbow during a heavy lift — possible biceps tear
  • Elbow that won't straighten or bend fully after an injury
  • Chronic elbow pain limiting daily function despite conservative treatment
  • Previously told you need elbow replacement — second opinion welcome

Distal biceps ruptures have a narrow 2–4 week repair window. If you felt a pop at the front of your elbow during a lift, call the same day.

#1
Elbow arthroplasty volume surgeon, Northeast Florida
Both
Linked & unlinked total elbow arthroplasty — revision cases accepted
2–4wk
Distal biceps repair window — call same day if you felt the pop

The Elbow Demands
Precision and Patience

The elbow is not a simple hinge. Three bones articulate within a single joint capsule. The ulnar nerve — responsible for sensation in the ring and small fingers and for the intrinsic muscle strength that allows fine hand function — wraps directly around the medial epicondyle and is vulnerable to compression at this level in a way that the median nerve at the carpal tunnel is not. The distal biceps attaches to the radius just past the joint, and when it ruptures, the clock starts immediately.

At the other end of the elbow spectrum, total elbow arthroplasty is among the most technically demanding joint replacement procedures in orthopedic surgery — complex implant systems, thin bone stock, a significant permanent activity restriction, and a revision rate that rewards volume. Dr. Graham is the highest-volume elbow arthroplasty surgeon in Northeast Florida, performing linked and unlinked replacements and accepting revision cases that require experience to manage.

Between these poles — nerve compression, tendon rupture, fractures, arthritis, and stiffness — the elbow presents a full spectrum of surgical problems. Each requires an understanding of the anatomy and the willingness to match the approach to what the specific patient and injury actually require.

Elbow Injury Urgency Guide
Not all elbow problems are equally time-sensitive.
Same Day

Distal Biceps Rupture

Felt a pop at the front of the elbow during a lift? The repair window is 2–4 weeks. Call now — every day of delay narrows the options.

🦴
Same Day / ED

Elbow Fracture or Dislocation

Deformity, inability to move the elbow, or visible displacement after a fall — go to the emergency department, then follow up with Dr. Graham for definitive management.

🔌
Prompt — Within Weeks

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Confirmed nerve compression on NCS/EMG warrants a surgical conversation even with mild symptoms — permanent deficits are possible at any stage.

🎾
Scheduled Appointment

Tennis / Golfer's Elbow

Lateral or medial epicondylitis that hasn't responded to rest, physical therapy, or injections — a scheduled evaluation to discuss next steps.

🔧
Scheduled Appointment

Elbow Arthritis / Replacement

Chronic pain, stiffness, and loss of function that conservative care has not addressed — evaluation for arthroplasty or other surgical options.

Elbow Conditions

Every elbow condition Dr. Graham treats — from the most common nerve compression to complex arthroplasty. All complexity levels accepted.

Tendon Conditions
💪
Distal Biceps Rupture
Tendon rupture at the elbow — Popeye deformity, lost supination. Time-sensitive: 2–4 week repair window.
🎾
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
ECRB tendon degeneration — outer elbow pain with gripping. Injection, PT, or surgical debridement.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)
Flexor-pronator origin degeneration — inner elbow pain with grip and wrist flexion.
🔩
Distal Triceps Rupture
Rare tendon avulsion from the olecranon — weakness pushing, extending against resistance.
Coming soon
Fractures & Trauma
🦴
Distal Humerus Fracture
Complex elbow fracture — ORIF or arthroplasty for severely comminuted patterns in older patients.
Coming soon
⚙️
Olecranon Fracture
Tip-of-elbow fracture — tension band wiring or plate fixation, sometimes excision in older patients.
Coming soon
🔵
Radial Head Fracture
Lateral elbow fracture from a fall — splinting, ORIF, or radial head replacement depending on pattern.
Coming soon
👶
Nursemaid's Elbow
Radial head subluxation in young children — quick reduction, no immobilization for first episode.
↔️
Elbow Dislocation
Elbow dislocation with or without associated fracture — reduction and ligament assessment.
Coming soon

Elbow Surgery at the
Highest Volume in Northeast Florida

The distinguishing features of Dr. Graham's elbow practice — from nerve surgery to reconstruction.

01

In-Situ Decompression for Cubital Tunnel

Dr. Graham's preferred technique for cubital tunnel is in-situ decompression — releasing the nerve at the elbow without transposing it. This avoids the additional dissection, scarring, and recovery of transposition, and produces excellent results for the majority of patients. Subcutaneous transposition is reserved for revision cases or an anatomically unstable nerve. The procedure is done in the OR, not in the office.

02

Distal Biceps — Act Immediately

The repair window for a distal biceps rupture is 2–4 weeks. Beyond 6 weeks, tendon retraction makes primary repair significantly more complex, often requiring allograft reconstruction. Dr. Graham performs single-incision cortical button fixation — the strongest contemporary technique — and accepts delayed presentations as well as acute cases. If you felt that pop, call the same day.

03

#1 Elbow Arthroplasty Volume

Total elbow replacement is technically demanding, carries a permanent 5-pound repetitive / 10-pound single-effort lifting restriction, and has a revision rate that is meaningfully affected by surgeon volume and experience. Dr. Graham is the highest-volume total elbow arthroplasty surgeon in Northeast Florida, performing linked and unlinked implants and accepting revision cases from across the region.

04

Linked and Unlinked Arthroplasty

Not all elbow replacements use the same implant type. A linked (constrained, semiconstrained) prosthesis provides stability when ligaments are deficient — common in post-traumatic cases and severe rheumatoid disease. An unlinked implant relies on the patient's own soft tissue for stability and may be appropriate when ligamentous integrity is preserved. Dr. Graham selects between them based on what the individual elbow requires.

05

Cubital Tunnel — Early Intervention

Cubital tunnel nerve deficits can become permanent if left too long. In Dr. Graham's experience, the conversation about surgery should happen as soon as nerve conduction studies confirm compression — even with mild symptoms — because waiting for the deficit to worsen before intervening is a strategy that costs patients function they may never fully recover.

06

Revision Cases Accepted

Failed cubital tunnel decompression, loose or failed elbow implants, elbow stiffness after prior surgery, and complex post-traumatic reconstruction are all within scope here. Revision elbow surgery requires understanding what was done before, why it failed, and what the anatomy looks like now. These cases are treated with the same thoroughness as any primary procedure.

Important note for total elbow replacement patients: Total elbow arthroplasty carries a permanent lifting restriction — no more than 5 pounds repetitively and no more than 10 pounds in a single effort, for life. This is not a temporary post-operative restriction; it is a permanent requirement to protect the implant from loosening and mechanical failure. Dr. Graham discusses this clearly with every patient before surgery. It is a real consideration for patients with physical occupations or active lifestyles, and it affects which patients are appropriate candidates.

"Roy Williams said if there were 10 stars available he would give Dr. Graham 10. Complex forearm surgery involving a bone graft — the outcome exceeded every expectation."

Roy Williams  ·  Complex Forearm Surgery Patient  ·  Verified Google Review ★ 5/5

Read All 250+ Google Reviews →

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Graham treats the full spectrum of elbow conditions — cubital tunnel syndrome, distal biceps tendon rupture, lateral and medial epicondylitis, elbow fractures (distal humerus, olecranon, radial head), elbow dislocation, elbow arthritis, total elbow arthroplasty (linked and unlinked), and elbow stiffness. He is the #1 elbow arthroplasty volume surgeon in Northeast Florida and accepts revision and complex cases.
Cubital tunnel syndrome is compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow — the nerve that causes the shooting pain when you hit your funny bone. Symptoms include numbness and tingling in the ring and small fingers (especially with the elbow bent), weakening grip and pinch, and eventually difficulty with fine motor tasks. Dr. Graham prefers in-situ decompression — releasing the nerve without transposing it — for most patients, reserving transposition for revision cases or a nerve that is anatomically unstable at the elbow. Nerve conduction study confirmation warrants a surgical conversation even with mild symptoms, because deficits can become permanent.
An untreated complete distal biceps rupture results in a permanent 40–50% loss of forearm supination strength — the ability to turn your palm up, which is essential for most manual tasks. Flexion strength drops by 20–30% as well. These deficits are permanent and do not recover with rehabilitation. Repair within 2–4 weeks gives the best outcome. After 6 weeks, tendon retraction requires significantly more complex reconstruction. Dr. Graham accepts delayed presentations as well as acute cases — call even if it has been a few weeks.
Total elbow arthroplasty is appropriate for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic elbow arthritis, or severely comminuted distal humerus fractures where fixation is not achievable. It provides excellent pain relief and functional restoration. The critical caveat is a permanent lifting restriction: no more than 5 pounds repetitively and no more than 10 pounds in a single effort, for life. This restriction protects the implant from loosening and is non-negotiable. Dr. Graham discusses this in detail with every candidate before surgery.
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) that has not responded to physical therapy, activity modification, and cortisone injection has several additional options: PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection, which has shown benefit in refractory cases; a more targeted physical therapy program focused on eccentric loading; and surgical debridement of the degenerated ECRB tendon origin for patients who have failed all conservative measures. Surgery for tennis elbow is effective but reserved for cases that have genuinely exhausted non-operative options over at least 6–12 months.
Yes. Failed cubital tunnel decompression, loose or failed elbow implants, persistent elbow stiffness after prior surgery, and complex post-traumatic reconstruction are accepted cases. Revision elbow surgery requires a systematic re-evaluation of what was done, what failed, and what the current anatomy allows. These cases are not turned away because they are difficult — they are evaluated with the same care as any primary case.

Elbow problem limiting you?
The right surgeon makes all the difference.

Whether you felt that pop at the front of your elbow this morning or you've had elbow pain for years that nothing has fixed, Dr. Graham will evaluate the joint thoroughly and give you a clear picture of what's happening and what can be done. New patients, referrals, and second opinions are all welcome.

Call (904) 241-1204 Referring Physicians →
Contact & Location
1577 Roberts Drive, Suite 225
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Clinic days: Tue · Wed · Fri
Surgery days: Mon · Thu
JOI Now Walk-In · Clinic days
Urgent elbow injuries seen same day

Distal biceps ruptures are seen as urgently as possible — same day when the schedule allows. Call immediately if you felt the pop.