Elbow pain is very common and could be due to many reasons like ageing, sports injury, repetitive stress. Elbow pain can also be due to arthritis. There are three bumps at your elbow joint. Injury to tendons that anchor muscles to the two bumps of the elbow is the main cause of elbow pain.
Different Elbow Injuries and Types
- Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy or Tennis Elbow
- Medial Epicondylitis or Golfer’s Elbow –
- Olecranon Bursitis or Student’s Elbow or Miner’s Elbow or Draftsman’s Elbow
Tennis elbow is an injury to the muscles that extend the wrist and fingers. In simple words it affects the outer or lateral side of the elbow, whereas Golfer’s elbow affects the inner side of the elbow.
Olecranon bursitis or a student’s elbow affects the bursae (fluid-filled sacs) protecting the pointy bone of the elbow.
Causes of Elbow Pain
Some of the conditions that may contribute to elbow injuries are –
- Weak or stiff forearm muscles
- Unstable elbow joint
- Weak shoulder muscles
- Poor sports technique that puts too much strain on the elbow
- Neck symptoms or nerve irritation
- Repetitive movements of hands and arms
Signs & Symptoms of Elbow Injury
Some of the symptoms of elbow pain include –
- pain while making a fist or grip an object
- pain while opening or moving fingers
- soreness around the elbow bump
- pain while raising the hand or straightening your wrist
Treatment Options for Elbow Pain
Health care providers suggest different treatments based on the severity of your elbow pain –
Treatment for elbow pain includes –
- exercises suggested by your physiotherapist
- ice massage
- soft tissue massage
- acupuncture
- taping or bracing elbow
- steroid injections
- pain relieving medication
- elbow padding
- surgery – in severe cases