- Main causes of elbow pain
- 1. Epicondylitis
- 2. Bursitis in the elbow
- 3. Arthritis in the elbow
- 4. Fracture of the arm
- 5. Compression of the ulnar nerve
- 6. Synovial plica
- When to see a doctor
Elbow pain is a very common symptom in people who do weight training, especially after doing a workout by strengthening the triceps, but it can also affect people or who do intense sports with their arms, such as crossfit, tennis or golf, for example.
Usually, elbow pain does not indicate a serious problem, but it can cause great discomfort because the elbow is a joint used in almost all arm and hand movements.
Elbow pain is curable, but in most cases it is necessary to consult an orthopedist or general practitioner to make the appropriate treatment, which may include medication and physical therapy.
Main causes of elbow pain
The main causes of pain in the elbow are tendonitis, bursitis or arthritis, however, other rarer causes, such as fracture of the arm or compression of the ulnar nerve, can also lead to the appearance of pain in the region. Learn more about each one:
1. Epicondylitis
It is inflammation of the tendons of the elbow, which can be lateral or medial. When it affects only the inner part of the elbow it is called the golfer's elbow and when it affects the lateral part of the elbow it is called the elbow of the tennis player. Epicondylitis causes pain when making movements with the arm, even using a computer mouse, and hypersensitivity when touching the elbow region. The pain gets worse when the person tries to stretch the arm and always gets worse when trying to flex the arm. It usually arises after playing sports or after weight training, such as the triceps-forehead exercise, for example.
What to do: To relieve the pain in the elbow, one must rest, place ice packs on the region, take anesthetic medications, such as Paracetamol, and do physical therapy. Understand how to treat Lateral Epicondylitis.
2. Bursitis in the elbow
It is an inflammation of the tissue that serves as a "shock absorber" of the joint, the pain affects the back of the elbow arising when the elbow is often placed on hard surfaces, such as tables, for example, and therefore it is very common in students, people with rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
What to do: To cure the pain in the elbow one must rest, apply cold compresses, take anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, prescribed by the doctor or undergo physical therapy.
3. Arthritis in the elbow
It is the wear and inflammation of the elbow joint that generates pain and swelling in the region, being more common elderly patients.
What to do: Elbow pain treatment should be done by an orthopedist or general practitioner and usually includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Naproxen and physical therapy.
4. Fracture of the arm
It can appear after strong impacts, such as accidents, falls or blows that break a region of the bone near the elbow, and may also affect the arm or forearm.
What to do: Usually, the pain in the elbow does not reduce with the use of analgesic drugs or placing compresses and, therefore, in case of suspicion, you must go to the emergency room to be immobilized.
5. Compression of the ulnar nerve
This compression is more frequent after orthopedic surgeries and generates symptoms such as tingling of the arm, ring or pinky, lack of muscle strength and the movements of bending or opening these fingers.
What to do: Should be treated by an orthopedist through physical therapy or surgery to reposition the nerve, depending on the severity of the case.
6. Synovial plica
The synovial plica is a normal fold that exists inside the capsule that forms the elbow joint, when it increases in thickness it can cause pain in the region behind the elbow, crackling or bending or stretching of the arm can be heard, the pain arises when bending and stretch your arm with your hand facing down. Magnetic resonance imaging is the only test that can show an increase in plica, which should not be greater than 3 mm.
What to do: In addition to applying ointments with anti-inflammatory effect, physiotherapy is recommended.
When to see a doctor
It is advisable to seek medical attention when elbow pain appears suddenly with tightness in the chest or when:
- Pain arises accompanied by fever; Swelling and pain constantly increase; Pain arises even when the arm is not being used; Pain does not go away even when taking analgesic and resting.
In these cases, it is recommended to consult an orthopedist so that he can order tests and indicate the cause, as well as the best treatment for the case.
