Elbow Pain

The elbow is a joint formed when three bones come together- the upper arm bone (the ulna, and the radius (the two bones constituting the forearm). Each humerus), and bone has flexible tissue known as cartilage at its ends, which absorbs the impact of an external shock on the body. These tissues are, in turn, held together by a tough tissue called a ligament. In addition, tissues known as tendons connect the bones to the muscles. When any of these parts (and the blood vessels or nerves in the surrounding areas) is affected, you will experience pain in your elbow. Elbow injuries can either be one-time or can occur as a result of wear and tear.

One-time Injuries:

This kind of injury occurs when you fall or experiences any other type of impact from being hit. The result can be:

• Dislocated elbow: An elbow may get dislocated if one of the joints’ bones is knocked out of place due to severe impact. It occurs when you try to steady yourself with your hand as you fall.
• Fractured elbow: If one of the arm bones breaks at the elbow, it is called a fractured elbow. It might happen due to a sudden blow during an accident or due to a contact sport.
• Sprain or strain: If muscles are stretched or torn, the condition is called a strain. When a ligament is torn, the condition is known as a sprain. Strains happen due to excess pressure on elbow muscles. Elbow sprains, on the other hand, occur during contact sports.

Wear and tear Injuries:

• Bursitis is a condition where the bursa (tiny fluid sacs cushioning the bones, tendons, and muscles) get inflamed due to repetitive movement.
• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are characterized by damage to the tendons around the elbow due to overuse. While the tennis elbow affects the outside of the elbow, the golfer’s elbow affects the inside of the elbow.
• Trapped nerves or carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where the nerve passing through the wrist gets squeezed and causes difficulty in motor function. This can happen at the elbow too.
• Stress Fracture is a small crack in any arm bone, typically due to overuse of the arm. Athletes who throw a lot are likely to experience this condition.

Diseases:

Diseases such as arthritis, osteochondritis, gout, lupus, or Lyme disease can cause elbow pain. However, it may not be a primary symptom in all these conditions.

When is Elbow Pain Concerning

If the elbow hurts or doesn’t look alright due to swelling or redness, you should visit the doctor right away. The following symptoms warrant an immediate visit to the doctor:

• Elbow pain that doesn’t subside even after prolonged rest, not using the arm much, and after applying ice
• Intense pain, inflammation, swelling, or bruising around the elbow area
• Pain and swelling that is getting worse, especially if you have a fever
• Difficulty bending the arm

How to Prevent Elbow Pain

Most elbow disorders are caused due to overuse and injury. This can be prevented by –

• Adhering to correct sports techniques
• Using appropriate grip size and correct tension on sports equipment
• Doing gentle warm-up and cool-down stretching exercises before and after intense physical activity
• Using elbow padding whenever it is required during sports and other physical activity

How is the Cause of Elbow Pain Diagnosed

The doctor will diagnose the cause of elbow pain with the help of one or more of the following methods:

• Physical examination
• Evaluation of medical history
• X-rays
• MRI scan
• CT scan
• Biopsy of the bursa fluid
• Electromyography (EMG)

How is elbow pain treated

The treatment plan for elbow pain varies based on the cause.

Physical Therapy:
Elbow pain can be treated with rest, applying ice, and performing gentle stretching exercises as advised by a physiotherapist.

Medication:
In more severe cases like Tennis elbow or Bursitis, braces, steroid injections, and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed.

Surgery:
In extreme cases like fractures surgery is the best treatment option.