Dallas Elbow Surgeon
Dr. Thornton utilizes advanced diagnostic techniques and a thorough understanding of elbow biomechanics to accurately diagnose your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan to alleviate your pain and restore optimal elbow function.
Whether your elbow pain developed gradually from years of repetitive motion or came on suddenly after an acute injury, finding the right specialist makes all the difference. Dr. Steven J. Thornton, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained Dallas elbow surgeon who provides both non-surgical and surgical solutions for a wide range of elbow conditions, helping patients throughout the Dallas Fort Worth area get back to the activities they love.
Regain Function and Find Relief from Elbow Pain
Understanding the Elbow: Anatomy and Common Elbow Conditions
The elbow is a complex hinge joint that allows for bending and straightening of the arm, as well as rotation of the forearm. It is formed by the articulation of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), and the radius and ulna (forearm bones). Ligaments provide stability, while muscles and tendons enable a wide range of motion essential for countless daily activities. Due to its intricate structure and frequent use, the elbow is susceptible to various injuries and conditions.
The elbow is one of the most frequently used joints in the body, involved in nearly every action that involves the arm and hand. From throwing a baseball to typing at a desk, gripping a golf club to lifting a bag of groceries, the elbow is under near-constant demand. That level of use makes it vulnerable to both overuse injuries and acute trauma. When pain, weakness, tingling, or loss of motion develops in the elbow, it can interfere with work, sport, and even the most routine daily tasks.
Elbow problems are common across a wide range of patients. Overhead athletes such as baseball pitchers, tennis players, and volleyball players are particularly prone to ligament and tendon injuries. Manual laborers and office workers frequently develop repetitive strain conditions. And anyone can sustain an acute injury from a fall or direct impact. Regardless of how your elbow problem developed, Dr. Thornton has the expertise to diagnose it accurately and treat it effectively.
A Closer Look at Dr. Thornton’s Elbow Specialties
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow is one of the most common elbow conditions, affecting athletes and non-athletes alike. It involves degeneration and microtearing of the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle on the outer side of the elbow, typically from repetitive gripping, lifting, or wrist extension. Patients describe a burning or aching pain on the outside of the elbow that worsens with gripping activities. While many cases improve with physical therapy, bracing, and injections, Dr. Thornton offers surgical debridement and tendon repair for patients with persistent pain that has not responded to conservative care.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Golfer’s elbow affects the tendons on the inner side of the elbow and is caused by repetitive wrist flexion and forearm pronation. Despite its name, it affects far more people than just golfers, including carpenters, plumbers, overhead athletes, and anyone who performs repetitive gripping or throwing motions. Symptoms include pain and tenderness along the inner elbow that may radiate down the forearm. Dr. Thornton treats golfer’s elbow through a personalized approach that begins with conservative options and progresses to surgery when needed.
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome)
The ulnar nerve travels through a narrow passageway on the inner side of the elbow called the cubital tunnel. When this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, patients experience numbness and tingling in the ring and small fingers, weakness in the hand, and pain along the inner elbow. This condition is often aggravated by prolonged elbow flexion, such as sleeping with the elbow bent or holding a phone for extended periods. When conservative measures fail to relieve symptoms, Dr. Thornton performs ulnar nerve decompression or transposition to relieve the pressure and restore normal nerve function.
Distal Biceps Tendon Tears
The distal biceps tendon attaches the biceps muscle to the radius bone in the forearm and is essential for elbow flexion and forearm supination. A distal biceps tear typically occurs during a forceful eccentric load, such as catching a heavy object or lowering a weight, and produces a sudden pop followed by pain, swelling, and visible deformity in the front of the elbow. Surgical repair is generally recommended for active patients to restore full strength, and Dr. Thornton performs this procedure through a minimally invasive approach designed to minimize scarring and speed recovery.
Triceps Tendon Tears
Triceps tendon tears are among the less common but more serious elbow injuries, typically occurring from a fall onto an outstretched hand or during heavy pressing movements in the gym. The triceps tendon attaches the triceps muscle to the olecranon at the back of the elbow, and a complete tear results in significant weakness with elbow extension. Surgical reattachment is necessary for full tears in active individuals, and Dr. Thornton has extensive experience performing this repair and guiding patients through the subsequent rehabilitation process.
Why Choose Dr. Thornton as Your Dallas Elbow Surgeon
Dr. Thornton’s approach to elbow care reflects his broader philosophy: accurate diagnosis first, conservative treatment when appropriate, and surgical intervention only when it offers a meaningful advantage over non-operative options. He takes time during every consultation to understand not just your diagnosis, but what your elbow pain is keeping you from doing, and he builds a treatment plan around getting you back there.
When surgery is the right call, Dr. Thornton uses minimally invasive and arthroscopic techniques wherever possible to reduce tissue disruption, lower the risk of complications, and shorten recovery timelines. Each surgical patient receives detailed post-operative instructions and a structured rehabilitation protocol coordinated with physical therapy to ensure a safe and progressive return to full function.
Dr. Thornton’s elbow patients come from across the Dallas Fort Worth area, including Plano, Frisco, Richardson, Garland, McKinney, Allen, and beyond. His office is located at 7115 Greenville Ave, Suite 310, Dallas, TX 75231.
Common Elbow Injury and Surgery FAQs
Dealing with elbow pain, elbow joint instability, or an elbow injury involving the elbow joint, medial and lateral ligaments, or tendons muscles can lead to many questions. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you understand the process of elbow surgery better:
Reclaim Pain-Free Movement in Your Arm– Schedule Your Surgery Consultation with Dallas Elbow Surgeon Today
Don’t let elbow pain, caused by issues with the medial collateral ligament, triceps muscle, or elbow pronator teres, limit your ability to perform everyday tasks and enjoy your favorite activities. Dr. Thornton, a Dallas elbow specialist, is dedicated to providing expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for a wide range of elbow conditions like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, triceps and biceps tendon tears, and ulnar nerve entrapment.