Elbow Pain: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatments

Any person can suffer from pain in elbow, be it an athlete, who is physically active or someone who has a sedentary lifestyle. Elbow joints are exercised during almost all activities like trying to pick up something from the floor, lifting luggage, bending and straightening the arm. A sudden arrival of elbow pain can disturb your daily life. This blog will explain elbow pain causes, symptoms, and treatments. Shall we begin?

Elbow Pain Symptoms

Elbow pain reason is diversified in its presentation, depending upon the cause. Pain in elbow may come gradually or sometimes dramatically and may range from dull to sharp pain. Common signs of elbow pains include:

- Dull or stabbing pain: It may be constant, more often it is felt only at some specific moments, like lifting, bending or gripping.

- Stiffness-Elbow joint may present some signs of stiffness, it would prevent your full flexion of the elbows or their extension.

- Swelling: The elbow may be swollen and red and sensitive to touch.

- Weakness: You can find a noticeable weakness in the affected arm as you find it difficult to lift objects or even to do things that require strength.

- Numbness or Tingling: At times, elbow pain may be related to tingling or numbness, especially when a nerve is being impacted.

- Redness and Heat: If the elbow is inflamed, it might be red or even hot.

If you still experience the pain on its own, you have to know the cause of elbow pain so that you could have the correct treatment.

Elbow Pain Causes

Tendinitis

Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of the tendons surrounding the elbow. This elbow pain cause usually comes about from repetitive movements typically in sports or manual labour. There are two primary types of tendinitis that can affect the elbow:

- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Pain on the lateral aspect of the elbow, usually caused by repeated gripping or lifting motions. While tennis elbow is the diagnosis most people assume it’s all about, the victims of this disease mostly do not engage themselves with playing tennis, plumbers, painters, and carpenters are often victims of this disease.

- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): This type of elbow pain lies at the inner side of the elbow and is related to a series of repetitive movements of the wrist and forearm. As with tennis elbow, it is not a prohibition for golfers.

Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the causes of elbow pain, though it is less seen compared to other joints such as knees or hips. The two types of arthritis that affect the elbow are:

- Osteoarthritis: This is due to the physiological wear and tear of the cartilage of the elbow joint. The cartilage, which cushioned the bones, gradually grinds away until pain and stiffness are felt.

- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This is an autoimmune condition that leads to inflammation and damage through the destruction of the lining surrounding the joints. In some cases, both elbows can be affected and bring about intense pain and swelling.

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Bursitis

Elbow bursitis, also known as olecranon bursitis, is the inflammation of the small, fluid-filled cushion (bursa) that lies between the elbow bone and the skin. This elbow pain is due to repeated pressure on the elbow after long periods of resting on a hard surface, or infection. Some of the common symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness around the elbow.

Injuries

The elbows are one of the most frequently injured parts of the body, especially in athletes or for physically active people. Some common elbow injuries are as follows:

- Fractures: A fracture or broken elbow occurs usually from a fall or direct impact/trauma to the area, which leads to very sharp pains, swelling, and an inability to move the elbow.

- Dislocations: The misalignment or dislocation of the bones that constitute the elbow joint causes discomfort, swelling, and limited movement. A fall or other accident commonly causes elbow dislocations.

- Sprains and Strains: Sprains are a tearing of the ligaments beyond their limit of overstretching. Strains involve the muscles and tendons. The complications of elbow sprains and strains include pain and swelling as well as weak movements of the elbow.

Treatment For Elbow Pain

The treatment may vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Most have been known to be relieved by home remedies, physical therapy, and medication. Common treatments for elbow pain include:

- Rest and Ice: In cases of overuse or minor injury, rest of the elbow and application of ice may help reduce the swelling and pain. Ice packs should be applied to the affected area for 15-20 minutes many times a day, especially in the first 48 hours after the beginning of pain.

- Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help decrease both pain and inflammation. These medications are acceptable for treatment of tendinitis, bursitis, and minor arthritis.

- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can design an individualized exercise program to build muscle in the elbow area, enhancing flexibility and contributing to improvement in the healing process. Various exercises and stretches may be implemented to reduce pain and prevent reinjury.

- Bracing or Bracing: Supportive devices, such as an elbow brace or splint, help to stabilize the joint, thus it does not strain as much when people have tendinitis. The appliance may help improve the patient’s ability to perform routine activities without feeling the debilitating effects of pain.

- Corticosteroid Injections: If your elbow pain is worse, you may need to have a corticosteroid injection. It works by injecting liquid to fill the joint space and lessen inflammatory pressure in it. This helps minimize the inflammation in the joint to alleviate elbow pain for a few months. However, repeated injections will weaken your tendons and should be avoided.

- Surgery: This treatment is required to correct the situation in case one is suffering from severe arthritis, tendon tears, or fracture. Then the procedures may involve some minor arthroscopy to more advanced joint replacement surgery.

Seek guidance from a provider on the treatment best suited for your needs.

Conclusion

Elbow pain has various reasons based on tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, and injuries. Most importantly, this helps to discover the right cure for the pain. Elbow pains can be mostly treated with rest, ice and medication purchased over-the-counter, while others require some tight treatments like physical therapy, injections, and surgery. Seek a medical professional’s advice if you’re undergoing persistent or severe elbow pain to create an effective treatment plan. But with proper care, most individuals usually get their life back to normal after elbow pain.

FAQs

1) Can elbow pain be related to the heart?

In a rare case, the condition can be a symptom of heart disease, for example, a heart attack. If you suddenly experience severe pain in your left arm or elbow with simultaneous chest pain, difficulty breathing, or dizziness, you should consult your doctor at once.

2) Can elbow pain heal on its own?

Elbow pain, including mild cases due to overuse or minor injuries, might even be cured with rest, ice, and the right care. When the pain does not subside or fades away within time, serious conditions, such as fractures and arthritis, must not be overlooked, hence it is best to consult the doctor.

3) How do I know if my elbow pain is serious?

Severe swelling, deformity, inability to move the elbow or intense pain along with elbow pain can be serious. Such symptoms need to be visited in a hospital immediately to rule out fractures, dislocations, and severe injuries.

4) What disease causes elbow pain?

Several diseases and conditions may cause pain in the elbow, including tendinitis as well as arthritis and bursitis and gout. A sort of autoimmune disorder called rheumatoid arthritis can also cause significant pain and inflammation in the elbows. Such treatment will rely on the determination of a true cause.