Who doesn’t need an elbow? Your elbow is a significant part of your body as it lets you throw, hug your loved ones, swing, and lift your groceries from your car. Overuse and sports injuries could be the culprit of why you are experiencing elbow pain. Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates provides personalized care for most elbow pain in East Brunswick, New Jersey, to help you get back to your daily activities without excruciating pain.
Outlined below is all you need to know about elbow pain.
Table of Contents
Types of Elbow Disorders
Fractures, sprains, overuse, dislocation, strain, trapped nerves, bursitis, wear and tear injuries, and stress are common causes of you experiencing elbow pain. The outlined below are types of elbow conditions;
Medial Epicondylitis: It affects the inner tendons of the elbow due to repetitive motion such as swinging and hand throwing of baseball.
Lateral Epicondylitis: It affects tendons outside the elbow and occurs due to playing racquet sport and professions such as plumbing, cooking, painting, carpenter, and autoworkers.
Olecranon Bursitis: It affects the bursae that help protect the elbow joint and is caused by elbow blow, prolonged elbow leaning, infection, and medical conditions such as arthritis.
Elbow Osteoarthritis: It is caused by injury, wear and tear of the elbow, causing pain and difficulties in bending the elbow.
Osteochondritis Dissecans: occur when cartilage pieces become dislodged in your elbow joint, and they occur mainly due to sports injuries.
Symptoms
Elbow pain is mainly associated with the following signs:
Dull ache while resting
Pain while making a fist and opening fingers
Your grip becomes weak, and you experience soreness around the affected elbow
Difficulties when trying to grasp substances with your arm stretched
Causes
The following are some of the circumstances and conditions that can cause you to experience that debilitating elbow pain;
When your forearm muscles lack flexibility and strength
Shoulder muscles lack strength, and elbow joints become unstable
Poor sporting technique and equipment
Repetitive hand movement and exertion of heavy loads on elbow muscles and joint
Neck symptoms, nerve irritations, bursa inflammation, osteoarthritis, ligament sprain, and bone fracture
Diagnosis
Your physician begins with a physical examination by applying pressure to the affected area. If the specialist suspects that your elbow pain is due to other conditions, then an X-ray, MRI, CT scan, Electromyography, and biopsy are conducted to determine the specific cause.
Treatment
Elbow pain can get better on its own. However, it’s important to check with your doctor fast before assuming that it will heal independently. Thus, treatment options vary depending on the elbow disorder and the symptoms you might be experiencing at that particular moment. Most elbow disorders are treated with conservative treatment; however, surgery becomes the last resort when symptoms do not alleviate. The following are treatment options;
Prescribe exercise to strengthen your muscles
Soft tissue and ice massage
Acupuncture, elbow padding, taping and bracing of your elbow
Anti-inflammatory, steroid injection, and pain management to ease the pain
Physical therapy to increase range of motion and reduce inflammation
Consult Your Elbow Pain Specialist
The Elbow is a vital organ in your body. Therefore, with chronic elbow pain, talk to your physician to determine the cause. Book an appointment today at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates, LLP, in New Jersey, get the best care for your pain, and resume your normal routines without debilitating pain.