Elbow Pain – Care Guide

Elbow pain is most commonly related to chronic injuries that result from sports related activities where the arm is used as a pivot point or fulcrum.  At times, the arm may be subjected to unnatural positions or may not be strong enough to withstand such activity.  This may cause swelling and pain.

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Small tears may form in the soft tissue if the joint is repeatedly used.  This is where the tendon is attached to the bone.  The increasing number of tears will cause pain over time and shall hamper the movement of the elbow joint.  Recovery from elbow pain shall depend on how severe the injury is, which may take up to six months to heal.

Tennis elbow is the most common type of elbow pain.  The golfer’s elbow comes in at a far second and is not as common but is very similar to the previous injury.  Whichever name it may be called, elbow pain can most certainly be a result of many physical activities such as rowing, weightlifting, wrestling, swimming and even normal day to day tasks done repeatedly in various occupations.

Elbow Pain Causes

Elbow pain may be caused by a variety of conditions which may include:

Arthritis- Soreness of the elbow joints would normally be a sign of arthritis. Though there are different kinds of arthritis, symptoms may further result to elbow pain, swelling, tenderness and reduced movement.

Bursitis- Also known as olecranon bursitis, is a result of constant pressure on the elbow which leads to elbow pain and decreased movement in the areas of the affected bursae.

Ulnar nerve entrapment- More famously called the “funny bone”; the ulnar nerve is located just between the inner bone of the elbow and its tip.  Entrapment is the pinching feeling which may also lead to pain not only in the pinky finger and the ring finger but also throughout the entire forearm.  Elbow pain greatly reduces any agile movement of the arm itself, making even lifting a tedious task with reduced sensation.

Fractures- These result from falling directly over an outstretched hand or the tip of the elbow.  Various types of fractures and dislocations may occur, depending on the gravity of the fall.

Injury- This is mainly caused by the repeated use and strain on the elbow which causes swelling and inflammation.

Elbow Pain Symptoms

Elbow pain is very common and can happen no matter how careful one is.  However, there is really no need to worry should symptoms of this condition become apparent.  Here are a few symptoms as reference:

Not all the symptoms of elbow pain are necessarily experienced.  However, one or two apparent telltale signs will surely be felt.

Home Treatment Options

There are several available home remedies and vitamin supplements to assist the healing process of an elbow. Over the counter drugs for elbow pain is another option.  An anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal treatment will help decrease the inflammation and the pain, just ask the local pharmacists for it.  While at home, it is best to ice the area affected to help reduce the swelling and promote blood flow.  Also make sure to rest the elbow because elbow can naturally heal itself when no additional damage or pressure it put on it. And lastly, strengthen the injured area by exercising when the symptoms have already subsided.

Professional Treatment for Elbow Pain

Health professionals would make several recommendations for the treatment of elbow pain when preventive measures and other home remedies are not sufficient.  However the treatments mentioned here should only be followed with guided instructions from a health professional.

Icing the injured area is still a basic swelling relief and promotes blood flow.  A recommendation to wear an elbow splint to limit the movement of the elbow and reduce any other trauma may also be used for elbow pain.  Another alternative is to wear a counter force brace.  This brace relieves pressure from the tendon itself and thus helps minimize elbow pain.  A non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory drug can help supplement any physical treatment by decreasing the inflammation and discomfort caused by elbow pain.  This can be done together with ultrasound therapy as well.  A cortisone injection for elbow pain can help relieve the swelling as it is injected directly to the inflamed area.  On the other hand, extra-corporeal shock wave therapy is known to hasten the healing of the tendon, partnered with topical nitric oxide to help stimulate the recovery of the elbow.  Once the injury heals, physical therapy and exercise is still recommended in order to strengthen the once injured area.

Surgery would probably be the last resort for the treatment of elbow pain.  Only in severe cases where defined large tears are seen in the tendon, will surgery be recommended to immediately repair the damage.  This shall also be an option for elbow pain caused by repeated stress and pressure for a prolonged period and if symptoms do not dissipate after a year.

Preventive Measures

The most effective solution to every problem is most certainly prevention rather than cure.  It is then best to make sure that joints are healthily supplied with the essential nutrients that they need.  Many people that are suffering from elbow pain or arthritis using various treatments including pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, weight loss, diet changes and supplements like JointKote or Joint Advance formulas.  Instead of suffering from the discomfort of elbow pain, do try these tips to ease the pain and prevent further injury.

Perform warm-up and cooling-down exercises before and after each sports activity.  Remember that even if the elbow has healed, it is best to use the arm with care.  This is why warming up the arm even for about 5 to 10 minutes is very important before engaging in any activity that would involve the elbow.

Be careful when choosing sports equipment as using ill fitted or wrongly matched equipment may surely result to elbow pain.  Make sure to purchase and use sizes that are meant for your size. Say for example, strings that are wound too loose or too tight on a racquet can add unwanted stress to the elbow, which later may result to an elbow injury.

Lastly, there are many new ways to learn to play a sport and avoid elbow pain.  It is important to be able to evaluate and understand certain techniques so as not to be stuck with poor ones that may end up resulting to an injured elbow.