What causes elbow pain?
The conditions most likely to cause elbow pain include:
Medial epicondylitis
Also known as golfer’s or baseball elbow, medial epicondylitis causes pain that extends from your elbow to your wrist on the inside (medial aspect) of your elbow. It develops if you repeatedly flex your wrist against resistance or forcefully grip something, as you would when swinging a golf club or a baseball bat.
Lateral epicondylitis
Also known as tennis elbow, lateral epicondylitis causes pain on the outside (lateral aspect) of your elbow. It develops if you repeatedly extend your wrist against resistance, as you would when using a tennis racquet.
Elbow MCL tear
A medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear in your elbow can happen as an acute injury due to excessive strain on the medial (inside) of your elbow. It could also be a result of overuse of your elbow.
Ulnar nerve compression
The ulnar nerve extends along the inner side of your elbow. Compression can occur as a result of a direct impact on the ulnar nerve, either from a fall or collision.
What symptoms might I experience when I have elbow pain?
Elbow pain can vary in severity and how it affects you, depending on the cause. Medial epicondylitis, for example, causes pain on the same side as your little finger, from your palm down your forearm to your elbow. The pain worsens when you bend your wrist toward your palm or make squeezing movements.
Lateral epicondylitis causes pain along the outside of your forearm and elbow, and down to your wrist. Pain may be worse when performing everyday activities like picking up a cup, opening a jar, turning a doorknob, or carrying groceries.
MCL tears cause pain on the inner side of your elbow. It may only be partial and cause minimal pain, or the MCL could rupture completely, causing significant pain and disability. Nerve compression can result in a pins-and-needles sensation, burning, or numbness.
How is elbow pain treated?
The Performance Pain and Sports Medicine team typically begins treatment for elbow pain with conservative approaches, such as:
- Rest
- Activity modification
- Braces or splints
- Pain-killing medication
- Anti-inflammatories
- Acupuncture
Find out how you can benefit from the Performance Pain and Sports Medicine team's expertise by calling their office today. The practice values your time, so you can count on low wait times, if any, at your appointment.
