Elbow surgery for athletes: and the surgeons who treat them.
UCL reconstruction (Tommy John), distal biceps repair, LUCL reconstruction, and complex elbow trauma. Dr. Lee helped design the anchor and internal-brace constructs as well as the plating systems used in these procedures.
The elbow sits at the intersection of his two fellowships.
The elbow is an area fewer surgeons focus on. While most upper-extremity surgeons train in either hand surgery or sports medicine, Dr. Lee is fellowship-trained in both, and the elbow is precisely where those two disciplines meet. That combination is why he is frequently referred complex elbow cases.
From Tommy John reconstruction and distal biceps or triceps repairs, to complex fractures of the olecranon, distal humerus, and radial head, these technical procedures demand meticulous execution. The choice of fixation, the timing of return to play, and the rehabilitation protocol all heavily influence the outcome. Dr. Lee approaches the elbow with the surgical precision of a hand surgeon, the return-to-sport pragmatism of a team physician, and the perspective of an innovator who helped design the implants used in these repairs.
Procedures & techniques.
Elbow Arthroscopy
Elbow arthroscopy is performed by relatively few orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Lee performs it regularly, trains other surgeons in the technique, and is often referred these complex cases.
UCL reconstruction with Internal Brace
Tommy John surgery using internal brace augmentation, a technique that allows for faster, more confident return to throwing in select patients. Uses anchors Dr. Lee helped design.
Distal Biceps and Triceps repair
Single-incision tendon-to-bone repair using the cortical button and tenodesis screw constructs. Dr. Lee routinely instructs courses teaching these methods to practicing surgeons. Most patients return to full activity within 4–6 months.
Complex elbow trauma
Whether treating severe fracture-dislocations, LUCL tears, or the challenging 'terrible triad,' Dr. Lee is a specialist outside facilities rely on for complex elbow trauma. His experience is informed by his work helping design the fixation implants used in these repairs.
Elbow stiffness and arthritis
Arthroscopic and open capsular release for post-traumatic stiffness. Total elbow arthroplasty. These procedures demand surgeons with significant experience.
He helped design the plating and anchor implants used in elbow surgery
Dr. Lee helped design the suture anchors and internal-brace constructs used in UCL and LUCL reconstruction, as well as the plating systems for elbow fractures, hardware now used by surgeons around the country.
What patients come in for.
Biceps Tendon Rupture
Distal biceps repair using tendon-to-bone anchors Dr. Lee helped design.
Complex Elbow Trauma
Coming soonFracture-dislocations, LUCL injuries, and reconstruction.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Ulnar nerve compression at the elbow, causing numbness in the ring and small fingers. Most cases improve with night splinting; surgery decompresses or moves the nerve when needed.
Distal Biceps Tendonitis
Irritation or partial wear of the biceps tendon where it attaches at the elbow, distinct from a complete distal biceps rupture. Managed conservatively with activity modification, therapy, and PRP for a tendon that is not healing, while watching for progression to a tear.
Distal Humerus Fracture
A break of the lower end of the upper-arm bone at the elbow, often into the joint surface. Most displaced adult fractures are fixed with plates and screws to restore the joint and allow early motion, with elbow replacement for selected comminuted fractures in older patients.
Elbow Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, post-traumatic, or inflammatory wear of the elbow, with pain, stiffness, and sometimes locking from loose bodies. Managed conservatively first; refractory cases are treated with arthroscopic debridement and, when advanced, joint replacement.
Elbow Dislocation
Simple and complex elbow dislocations, including the terrible triad. Stability first, then early motion to protect against the stiffness the elbow is prone to.
Elbow Fractures
Coming soonPlate-and-screw fixation using designs Dr. Lee helped develop.
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Outer-elbow tendon pain. The large majority improve with activity modification, eccentric exercise, and bracing; PRP and surgery are reserved for stubborn cases.
LUCL Injury (Elbow Instability)
Lateral ligament injury causing posterolateral rotatory instability. Repair or reconstruction using anchor and internal-brace constructs Dr. Lee helped design.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)
Inner-elbow tendon pain, treated patiently with exercise and bracing, with attention to the nearby ulnar nerve.
Olecranon Bursitis
Swelling of the bursa over the tip of the elbow ('Popeye elbow'), from pressure, trauma, gout, or infection. The key step is telling an infected bursa from a non-infected one; most non-infected cases settle with simple measures, and surgery is reserved for refractory cases.
Olecranon Fracture
Fracture of the bony tip of the elbow, most often from a direct fall. Non-displaced fractures heal in a splint; displaced fractures and any that disrupt active elbow extension are treated surgically with plates or tension-band fixation.
Radial Head Fracture
The most common adult elbow fracture. Stable fractures move early; displaced ones are fixed or replaced using elbow hardware Dr. Lee helped design.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
A deep forearm ache often mistaken for tennis elbow, from radial nerve compression. Most cases improve without surgery once the diagnosis is made.
Terrible Triad of the Elbow
An elbow dislocation with radial head and coronoid fractures, one of the most unstable elbow injuries. Almost always reconstructed surgically, then moved early. The complex trauma Dr. Lee is referred from outside hospitals.
Triceps Tendon Tear
A tear of the triceps at the elbow weakens straightening the arm. Complete tears are repaired by reattaching the tendon to the bone.
UCL Tear (Tommy John)
UCL reconstruction with internal brace augmentation. Reconstruction uses an anchor system Dr. Lee helped design.
Credentials that matter here.
- Fellowship-trained in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery
- Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine
- Helped design anchors and internal-brace constructs used in reconstruction
- Sees referrals for complex and revision elbow surgery
Ready to talk about your case?
In-person visits in NYC or Scarsdale. International and out-of-area patients can begin with a telemedicine consultation.