Elbow pain is a common symptom seen in workers, athletes and can even happen from doing a repetitive motion at school or home.
Elbow Joint
The elbow joint is a simple joint made up of three bones: 1) humerus, 2) radius, and 3) ulna. At any time, the joint can become irritated or swollen from misuse.
We take our elbows for granted because we use our elbows in so many ways everyday. I dare say, all the time, when we use our hands and arms, we use our elbows, because the muscles are attached above and below the elbow that produces motion through it.
Elbow pain can cause frustration to someone who needs to perform a simple task that has now become nearly, if not totally, impossible.
Your elbow helps you rotate your hands and grip objects, as well as assist in pushing and pulling motions. Since all these movements occur within the elbow joint, it is possible for a non-painful elbow to eventually become symptomatic and cause a big problem for the victim over time.
COMMON ELBOW CONDITIONS
Pain in the elbow can be sharp/piercing, burning, dull and achy. An overused elbow can become strained and warm to the touch. An accident injury can lead to a sprain, causing more swelling and motion restriction, leading to more problems.
Nursemaids elbow is a condition where the head of the radius comes out of the ligament holding it in place. This is seen in children who were picked up aggressively with their arm outstretched. The pain is caused by stretching the ligament beyond its limit. Most children quietly refuse to use the arm or even speak of the pain they feel.
Others, however, find the pain excruciating and will scream violently. Fortunately, the condition is easily corrected and does not require surgery. A quick visit to your doctor can reset the bone.
Golfer’s elbow is a condition where the medial portion of the elbow and wrist flexors are overused and strained. This is seen in golfers who repetitively cause micro-tears in the muscle belly and tendons of the inner forearm.
Tennis elbow is a condition where the lateral portion of the elbow and wrist extensors are overused and strained. This is seen in tennis athletes who repetitively cause micro-tears to the muscle belly and tendons of the outer (lateral) forearm.
Elbow fractures and dislocations can occur from brute force and lead to an infection or a non-healing injury, and possibly rare forms of cancer.
Arthritis can also cause elbow pain due to wearing out and overuse of the cartilage, leading to deep elbow pain.
SYMPTOMS OF ELBOW PAIN
Elbow pain may be experienced as one or more of the following:
- Night elbow pain
- Joint tenderness
- Warm temperature over the elbow
- Loss of elbow motion
- Movement discomfort
- Skin discoloration due to swelling or bruising.
HOW DOES ELBOW PAIN IMPACT EVERYDAY LIFE?
As mentioned before, the elbow is part of the arm…it can therefore impair arm movement and can affect the amount of work one is able to be perform. It can also affect your daily routine, such as lifting objects, brushing teeth, or bathing with any attempt to move the elbow.
HOW TO TREAT ELBOW PAIN
The treatments for elbow pain vary depending on the symptoms experienced. For the most part, elbow pains are easily managed with conventional and conservative treatment. Surgery should be the last resort for a painful elbow. The treatment options:
- Applying of ice to affected elbow
- Rest the elbow and use a brace to limit movements
- Use a forearm brace/splint
- Wrist and elbow stretching before and after exercise or sedentary activities
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Cold laser treatment to improve circulation
- Ultrasound to break up adhesions
- Deep tissue work to break up scar tissue and reduce swelling
- Chiropractic care can reduce the cause of the elbow pain, specifically improving joint motion, and reducing the swelling or stiffness through extremity manipulation and therapeutic modalities.
If you suffer from elbow pain and are looking for relief, call our office to schedule an appointment.