Whether you live an active lifestyle or work in a physically demanding job, your elbows get a workout. Any pain or slight ache in the elbow area should be evaluated by a doctor to determine its cause and appropriate treatment.
Elbow injuries may be caused by a variety of factors including:
The most common cause of elbow pain is a type of arthritis called osteoarthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones in your joints gradually wears down. Healthy joint cartilage allows for nearly frictionless movement. When arthritic cartilage becomes frayed and rough, your bones rub together, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Symptoms include stiffness and difficulty straightening your elbow. Osteoarthritis usually occurs as you get older, but can affect younger people too. It can also be caused by repetitive movements or an injury.
Medications including acetaminophen and ibuprofen may help relieve pain. If your pain and mobility limitations persist, your doctor may suggest surgery. Two surgical options include arthrodesis or arthroplasty. In arthroplasty, your doctor replaces your damaged joint with metal, ceramic, or plastic parts. This procedure can be done on knees, hips, wrists, ankles, and fingers. Surgery can relieve your pain and restore function to the joint. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the faster you can begin treatment.
Whether your elbow is painful from an injury or from overuse, you should seek medical attention for it. Your elbows are major and heavily used joints that require proper care to function properly. Even slight aches should be taken seriously, as they can lead to problems that inhibit elbow movement and affect your quality of life.
A common cause of elbow pain is fracture. A fracture happens when your bone is impacted with more force than it can support. It can occur from a direct impact like falling on your outstretched hand, or from repeated flexing of your elbow. If you suspect that you have a fracture, get emergency medical attention immediately to assess the damage and prevent further complications. Your doctor will likely splint the area to keep your bones in place and control pain, until your fracture heals. They may also prescribe medicine to help control pain. If the break is severe, surgery may be needed to reset the bones and repair any tissue damage.
A common cause of elbow pain is a sprain. A sprain occurs when ligaments in an injured area are overstretched or moved out of their normal position. A sprain is not as severe as a fracture or dislocation but can still be very painful.
Typically, a sprain will have bruising, swelling, limited movement, and muscle spasms. Other symptoms of a sprain can include numbness, cramping, and an inability to bend or extend the elbow.
Another type of injury that causes elbow pain is a strain, which can also be caused by overuse or a fall. A strain happens when muscles or tendons are overstretched and can cause numbness, cramping, limited movement and swelling. A strain is usually more of a problem than a sprain because it can lead to long-term damage. A doctor or physiotherapist can diagnose a sprain or strain by examining the injured area. They can also order X-rays to help them see the area and make sure other bones, nerves or blood vessels have not been damaged.
The elbow can be injured by anything that causes it to bend or twist in an abnormal way, including overuse, health conditions and direct trauma. It’s important to see a doctor if pain isn’t going away, especially when the type of pain changes – from a dull ache to a sharper pain.
A common cause of elbow pain is inflammation of the tendons or bursa that help cushion and reduce friction in the elbow joint. This is called tendinitis and is often caused by repetitive actions and overuse. Other common injuries include ulnar nerve entrapment (also known as cubital tunnel syndrome) which occurs when the ulnar nerve in the elbow passes through a small opening in the bone and can get compressed or irritated, and dislocation of the elbow, which may be caused by a fall on an outstretched hand.
For most patients, pain can be relieved with resting the injury, applying ice to the area and icing at least once per day. Exercises to strengthen the tendons and muscles in the elbow can also help.
By selecting LifeSpan Medicine, you’re beginning the process of a thorough, evidence-based care plan that strives to assist you in regaining your strength and living pain-free. Contact us right away to schedule your consultation and start your path to long-term elbow pain relief. Don’t wait any longer.