Pain in Elbow – Understanding the Causes and Symptoms

Elbow pain is a common health problem, which occurs due to a number of reasons. Correct diagnosis is essential for proper treatment and it can be done by taking X-rays and blood test.

Pain in Elbow – Common Symptoms of the Complaint

Symptoms vary as per the causes of pain in Elbow. If it is due to lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow, patients feel difficulty in gripping things. Discomfort and pain in and around joint are the symptoms of medial epicondylitis. If the pain is due to olecranon bursitis, there may be tenderness and swelling in joint. Shooting pain, tingling and numbness in forearm and fingers are the symptoms of pain in elbow due to cubital tunnel syndrome. You may also feel inflammation, warmth, heat, uncontrollable pain in joints, etc. Infection shows severity of the pain. In such conditions, immediate medical care is essential.

Elbow Joint Pain – The Causes

Various types of arthritis such as reactive arthritis, spondylitis, ankylosing, psoriatic arthritis, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., lead to elbow joint pain. Injuries such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, olecranon bursitis, fractures, sprains, etc also lead to joint pain. It may be also due to infection, cellulitis, osteochondritis dissecans, tumors and ulnar nerve entrapment. Elbow dislocation also causes uncontrollable pain. If elbow joint pain is due to some diseases like arthritis, it can be diagnosed by taking blood test. Taking X-ray is helpful for finding the injuries in elbow, calcium deposits and some other abnormalities.

Elbow Pain Treatment – Remedies

Elbow pain due to tennis elbow can be reduced by taking adequate rest, ice packs and with anti inflammatory medicines. You can also use aspirin, naproxen, ibuprophen, diclofenac for elbow pain treatment. Bracing elbow is also very useful. If the pain is very severe, orthopaedic surgery is needed for correcting it. It can also be treated by injecting cortisone. Elbow pain treatment also includes putting a strap on the elbow, activity modification, physical therapy, etc. Anti inflammatory drugs such as naprosyn, voltaren, feldene and motrin are also very effective. It can also be treated by using blood injection, botulinum toxin, lothotriptor, heat therapy, occupational therapy, rebox electro therapy, trigger joint therapy, sclerotherapy, etc.