Patrick Mahomes’ Elbow Injury: What Does Recovery Look Like?

Patrick Mahomes reportedly sustained a right elbow strain or sprain during the Chiefs’ game against the New York Jets, but an MRI showed no significant damage.

An elbow strain affects a muscle or tendon, while a sprain involves a ligament. Both injuries can cause pain, swelling and limited movement.

Treatment may include rest, activity modification and physical therapy to restore elbow movement, strength and stability before returning to sports or everyday activities.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes avoided a potentially serious injury Sunday after taking a hard hit to his right elbow during a game against the New York Jets.

An MRI following the game reportedly revealed an elbow strain or sprain, but no significant damage. While Mahomes’ recovery remains to be seen, his injury raises a common question: what happens when you injure your elbow and what does treatment involve?

Why the Elbow Is Important

The elbow is made up of bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments that work together to help your arm bend, straighten, and rotate. Muscles help move the joint, tendons connect muscles to bones, and ligaments help keep the joint stable.

A sudden impact or awkward movement can damage any of these structures. A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn, while a sprain involves a stretched or torn ligament. Both can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint.

“The elbow must withstand a lot of force during throwing. An injury can affect more than just an athlete’s ability to throw a ball. Depending on the structures involved, it can also make everyday movements, such as lifting, reaching, or carrying objects, painful or difficult,” said Delia Hernandez-Rivero, an occupational therapist at Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial.

What Does Treatment and Rehabilitation Involve?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. Initial care may involve limiting activities that cause pain, protecting the elbow, and managing swelling. Depending on the injury, treatment may include physical therapy, medication, or in more serious cases, surgery.

Physical therapy can help restore movement, rebuild strength, and improve joint stability. Rehabilitation typically progresses gradually, with patients returning to more demanding activities as their elbow heals.

For athletes, that process may eventually include sport-specific exercises and throwing movements before they return to competition.

“Before an athlete returns to throwing, we want to make sure the elbow can tolerate progressively more demanding movements without pain or loss of function,” Hernandez-Rivero said.

Recovery time varies depending on the injury. A mild muscle strain may heal relatively quickly, while more significant damage to a ligament or tendon can require a longer recovery.

If you’re experiencing elbow pain that doesn’t go away, swelling, weakness, or difficulty moving your arm, a medical evaluation can help identify the cause and determine the right treatment. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to benefit from the right care. Jackson Health System offers physical therapy and outpatient rehabilitation services to help patients recover from injuries and return to their daily activities. Call 305-585-9600 to get started.

Image: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons