Elbow Pain
Overuse or repeated force on the elbow joint can reason small tears to form in the soft tissue, particularly where the tendon anchors to bone. If a number of these tears occur over a period of time, they can cause pain and reduced movement of the elbow joint. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, full recovery can take up to six months.
The most common type of elbow pain is known as 'tennis elbow'. 'Golfer's elbow' is a less common but similar overuse injury. Despite their names, these injuries can occur as a result of a range of physical activities - racquet sports, rowing, canoeing, weightlifting, hockey, wrestling, swimming - as well as repetitive work tasks undertaken in a variety of occupations.
The Elbow Joint
If you bend your arm, you can feel three bumps at your Elbow joint. Injuries to the tendons that anchor muscles to the two bumps on either side of the elbow are a common cause of elbow pain:
- Lateral Epicondyle ('Tennis Elbow') - The Bump on the outer side of the elbow. The muscles on the back of your forearm, responsible for curling your wrist backwards, are anchored to this bony point. Pain in this bump is called lateral epicondylitis. This area is particularly susceptible to tennis elbow because it has a poor blood supply.
- Medial Epicondyle ('Golfer's Elbow') - The Bump on the inner side of the elbow. The muscles on the front of your forearm, responsible for curling your wrist up, are anchored to this bony point. Pain in this bump is called medial Epicondylitis.
Symptoms
Some of the Symptoms of elbow pain include:
- Pain in the elbow joint, especially when straightening the arm
- Dull ache when at rest
- Pain when making a fist (Medial Epicondylitis)
- Pain when opening the fingers (Lateral Epicondylitis)
- Soreness around the affected elbow bump
- Weak grip
- Difficulties and pain when trying to grasp objects, especially with the arm stretched out.
Medical Treatment
If the symptoms don't improve, or if you are prone to recurring bouts of elbow pain, see your doctor or physiotherapist. Treatment options may include:
- Soft tissue massage
- Ice massage
- Acupuncture
- Joint Mobilization
- Tape
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Electrotherapy modalities
- Corticosteroid injections
- Pain-killing drugs
- Bracing
- Surgery, in severe cases.
Other causes of Elbow Pain
While overuse injuries such as tennis and golfer's elbow are common causes of elbow pain, other conditions can include:
Radio humeral bursitis - Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. Bursae are small sacs that contain fluid to lubricate moving parts such as joints, muscles and tendons. Bursitis may be caused by repetitive use or frequent pressure or by injury to the elbow.
Osteoarthritis - The joint cartilage becomes brittle and splits. Some pieces of cartilage may even break away and float around inside the synovial fluid. This can lead to inflammation.
Referred pain - Injuries to the bones of the spine (vertebrae) can irritate the nerves servicing the arm and cause referred pain around the elbow joint.
Nerve entrapment - The radial nerve is the main nerve of the arm. If this nerve can't move freely, it can cause pain when the arm is stretched out. The radial nerve can be pinched by vertebrae or the elbow joint. There is evidence to suggest that nerve entrapment contributes to the pain of tennis elbow in some cases.
Ligament sprain - Joints are held together and supported by tough bands of connective tissue called ligaments. A sprain is a type of joint injury characterized by tearing of the ligaments.
- Bone fracture - A Heavy fall or blow to the elbow may cause one of the bones to break or crack.
- Avulsion fracture - A Powerful muscle contraction can wrench the tendon free and pull out pieces of bone.
