{"id":4228,"date":"2019-02-21T05:27:22","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T05:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=4228"},"modified":"2021-03-26T17:59:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-26T17:59:43","slug":"15-frequent-causes-of-elbow-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-frequent-causes-of-elbow-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Frequent Causes of Elbow Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your elbows are an extremely important part of your anatomy and are used in a huge number of sports, jobs, and everyday activities. Thus an elbow injury can be particularly debilitating, not to mention common and difficult to treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we are going to look at eight of the most frequent causes of elbow injury. This way, you can try to avoid future damage to your joints, while also treating any injuries that should occur by correctly identifying the cause and nature of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have an elbow injury and you are unsure of the cause, then it is always advisable to seek the advice of a trained health professional first. They will be able to recommend the best course of treatment and help you to avoid the wrong action which could potentially exacerbate the pain and make it worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, you can normally ease the discomfort in the meantime by using RICE \u2013 Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. While you do that, consider these eight potential causes to identify why you might be experiencing pain in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Impact<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our first potential explanation for elbow pain is an obvious one: impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is very easy to bang your elbow owing to its location and the fact that you use it a lot. You might fall and hurt it, or potentially bash it on a wall. If you don\u2019t remember any impact with your elbow, then keep in mind that this can occur while you are sleeping, meaning it might fly under the radar. Meanwhile, it is not uncommon for an elbow injury <\/a>to seem minor at the time and to get worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the way that the elbows work when it comes to pain is quite unique, and this can explain a number of unusual pains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For one, did you know that the skin on your elbow actually has no nerve endings? Grab the flesh where your elbow bends on the outside, and you\u2019ll notice that you don\u2019t feel any discomfort \u2013 even when pinching extremely hard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there are a lot of nerves under the surface, which is why you feel a buzzing sensation sometimes when bashing your arm \u2013 known as the \u2018funny bone\u2019. For all these reasons, you can easily cause injury to your elbow and actually be unaware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Tennis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common causes of elbow pain is tennis elbow. The medical name for this is lateral epicondylitis and is caused by inflammation <\/a>affecting the tendon that attaches the muscle to the bony projection (which is known as the epicondyle) on the outside of the joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem causes a nagging pain with inflammation on that side and of course, can be caused by tennis. Usually, it will come on gradually and then worsen with time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it can be the result of tennis though, epicondylitis can also result from lifting objects repeatedly and generally engaging in any repetitive movement that involves the forearm muscles to a large degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Golf<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Golfer\u2019s elbow is related to tennis elbow but is distinct from that pain<\/a>. This is technically referred to as medial epicondylitis and causes inflammation in the tendons in a similar manner, but will affect the tendons on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medial epicondylitis is caused by anything that involves bringing the arm forward in front of the body \u2013 as you do in a golf swing. For that reason, it can also sometimes be referred to as climbers\u2019 elbow or \u2018little league\u2019 elbow \u2013 both these activities involve a similar movement and can cause the precise same type of discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, this pain can be treated with rest and prevented by ensuring to strengthen the area prior to engaging in physical activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Over Exertion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another very simple cause of elbow pain is over-exertion. If you attempt to lift too much weight<\/a>, or if you engage in too many repetitive movements, then this can cause wear and tear, affecting the tendons and ligaments and causing fraying and pain, or affecting the joints and causing pain in that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One common way that this can happen is when engaging in bodyweight exercises such as rope climbing. When doing this, you will be putting pressure on the inner elbow in a very similar manner, and often people make the mistake of doing high volume rope climbs before they have toughened up this area. A solution is to build up strength in the area first with movements such as RTO push-ups (rings turned out).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another example of this happening is weight lifting. Here, the issue occurs as a result of repeatedly curling, pressing, and pulling weights and not giving yourself enough time to recover. It\u2019s worth noting that whereas muscles take 24 hours to recover, tendons take 48 hours \u2013 so you shouldn\u2019t focus heavily on the same muscle group two days in a row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And likewise, you should also avoid going too heavy too fast \u2013 as tendons and ligaments adapt more slowly to strength changes than muscles do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Arthritis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arthritis <\/a>is a common cause of many different types of joint pain, with elbow pain being a common focal point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arthritis has a number of different causes depending on the type of arthritis you are suffering from. For instance, some forms of arthritis are caused by the body\u2019s own immune system turning on it. In this case, you might find that you experience inflammation as this is a reaction caused by the immune system to try and drive out infection and aid recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other forms of arthritis are caused by wear and tear over time. Arthritis can have a large number of different causes but can be cripplingly painful in many cases. You may feel the pain in just one joint or might feel it across multiple joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that while arthritis is more common in the elderly, it can actually affect people of any age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some other conditions are related to arthritis include the likes of fibromyalgia which causes joint pain, inflammation, tiredness, and depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Trapped Nerve<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A trapped nerve occurs when a nerve in the body becomes trapped or aggravated by bones, muscles<\/a>, or joints. When this happens, it can become painful to move the affected area as you normally would, and you might also experience pain when you are simply relaxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We often tend to associate trapped nerves with the spine, where a slipped disc or similar complaint can often affect the huge network of large nerves traveling up and down the spine. However, in this case, the issue is affecting the elbow and this can likewise occur in many other areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that we have already seen a lot of nerves travel through the elbow (hence the funny bone) and as this area is a joint, it\u2019s surprisingly easy for a nerve to become trapped or inflamed. Either way, you should find that with gentle exercise, the pain is relieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Bursitis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bursitis is a condition affecting the small and fluid-filled sacs known as bursae that are used to cushion the joints, muscles, and tendons<\/a>. These are found at numerous points in the body, and thus bursitis can affect any of them. However, the most common areas to experience bursitis are the shoulder, elbow, and hip. The knee and big toe are also sometimes afflicted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you experience bursitis, the best action is normally to rest the area and to attempt to prevent using it in a way that might cause further damage or aggravation to the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might notice that the joints feel achy or stiff, hurt when you press on them and look swollen and red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are just some of the reasons you might have elbow pain. It\u2019s also possible that this can be caused by infection, by a fracture, by a sprain, or through another repetitive action such as typing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why it is important to speak with your physician and attempt to identify the precise cause of the pain before you begin treatment. If you misdiagnose the problem, then you can actually just end up making it worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An infection <\/a>can affect any part of the body and can cause discomfort and a number of other serious symptoms. Tendonitis can be caused by just such an infection, which may lead to elbow pain. Infections occur when bacteria or viruses enter the area and then begin to wreak havoc with the normal functioning of the body. The response of our immune system is to flood the area with blood and fluids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This should help to repair any tissue damage, while at the same time making the region less hospitable for the invading bacteria or virus. It will then use white blood cells in order to try and fight that infection while repairing and protecting the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this is the body doing its best to help, it can unfortunately also cause us to experience significant pain due to the irritation of the area and the inflammation. It may also make it more difficult to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most infections can be treated with a simple course of antibiotics once they are diagnosed. When looking out for signs of infection \u2013 try to spot any signs of discoloration to the tissue (if the skin around your arm goes black or dark blue, this is a warning sign) and also any signs of fever or tiredness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Stress Fracture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A stress fracture<\/a> is a type of fracture that is not caused by a break, but rather from load-bearing or mild impact over time. Stress fractures are particularly common in the shins among those that are overweight. If you go for lots of long walks or spend a lot of time on your feet, then you might find that this is enough to gradually place a lot of pressure on the tibia and fibula and that this can then cause a tiny, imperceptible crack in the bone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is less common in the elbows of course, but if you carry a lot of heavy things, or if you spend a lot of time bearing weight on your arms or <\/em>if you engage in any kind of frequent repetitive movement with your arms \u2013 then it is eventually possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Torn Muscle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A torn muscle can cause significant pain in the elbow and can be easily caused by a number of activities. In particular, torn muscles can be a result of numerous sports, weight lifting, rock climbing, or even just engaging in normal everyday tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we train and lift weights, our muscles are normally subjected to tiny tears called \u2018microtears\u2019. These affect the muscle fibers <\/a>but are not enough to cause serious damage. In fact, it is through healing these tiny tears that the muscle is able to grow back thicker and stronger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that when the tear is too severe, it can actually cause loss of mechanical strength in the muscle, as well as a large amount of pain and swelling for the affected individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Pinched Nerve<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A pinched nerve <\/a>in the elbow can be particularly painful and may also lead to numbness, tingling, loss of strength and movement, among other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nerves travel up and down our spinal cord relaying messages to and from the brain. These then travel down our limbs and allow us to engage in all our regular activities, from walking to running, to playing tennis. They also allow us to feel sensations from those limbs though: including pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nerves running through the elbow include the nerve responsible for the \u2018funny bone\u2019 \u2013 a very sensitive nerve that is prone to damage. If you should experience a swollen elbow joint, or if the nerve should become trapped, this can then place painful pressure on the area, which might result in severe pain, along with numbness, tingling, and general discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Bruise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A bruise <\/a>on the elbow is another common cause of pain. We\u2019ve discussed how impacts can cause fractures and other issues, but a bruise can come from numerous different sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essentially, a bruise is caused by damage to the blood vessel. This then results in blood escaping and filling the area, resulting in the discoloration and the discomfort that we associate with bruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have a bruise, the best thing to do is to rest the area to allow it to heal. You can also try applying cool ice packs to numb any discomfort and help dissipate the swelling. You may wish to combine this with a warm compress also to encourage blood flow to the area which will improve the rate of healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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13. Muscle Imbalance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A muscular imbalance is caused when certain muscles in the body are developed more than others. That, in turn, can then cause those muscles to place uneven pressure on the joints<\/a>, potentially pulling harder from one direction than another, which in turn can cause the joint to become uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see this all the time in conditions such as anterior pelvic tilts. However, in the case of the elbow, in particular, this is more likely to be caused by focussing too much on the bicep brachii rather than the brachialis. This means that the muscles on the front of the bicep are overly developed, while the muscle that runs underneath and that is the prime mover when it comes to bending the elbow, is not as strong as it needs to be to keep up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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14. Dislocation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An elbow joint can become dislocated if you are in an impact, or if you move it forcefully in the wrong direction. A dislocation <\/a>is when the joint comes out of the socket, which in turn causes you to lose movement in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can be extremely painful but does not lead to long-term damage if it is fixed by a professional. The only risk is that in moving the elbow outside of its normal range of motion, you may risk causing permanent damage to the nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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15. Strain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A strained elbow is slightly different from a torn muscle. IN this case, you are not experiencing pain as a result of damage to the muscles or tendons, but rather due to damage to the ligaments<\/a>. Instead of thinking of your body in terms of muscles, it can be more useful to think of it in terms of muscle-tendon units, with the muscle turning into the tendon and then attaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ligaments are meanwhile joint bone to bone, allowing for normal range of motion. If you should move suddenly and forcefully outside of this safe range, it can cause fraying (tearing) of the ligament, which causes pain, discomfort, and a loss of strength.
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