Many things can make your elbow hurt. A common cause is tendinitis, an inflammation or injury to the tendons that attach muscle to bone. Tendinitis of the elbow often results from abnormal use of the muscles of the hand and wrist, including gripping, work-related manual tasks, and sports. Other causes of elbow pain include sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, bursitis, and arthritis.
COMMON DIAGNOSIS:
Tennis Elbow – Lateral epicondylitis (often referred to as “tennis elbow”), is an inflammation of one or more of the tissues (tendons, ligaments, or nerves) in the lateral (outer) side of the elbow and forearm. This condition occurs when the hand and wrist extensor muscles are overused and causes tenderness, pain, and swelling in the elbow and forearm. Lateral epicondylitis is one of several overuse injuries that can affect your elbow, may develop for no obvious reason, and can be caused by activities other than tennis such as repetitive manual tasks or gripping. The pain of lateral epicondylitis occurs primarily where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony prominence on the outside of your elbow (lateral epicondyle). Pain can also spread into your forearm. This condition is similar to golfer’s elbow, but golfer’s elbow occurs on the inside—rather than on the outside—of your elbow.
Golfers Elbow – Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is pain and inflammation on the inner side of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis elbow except that it occurs on the inside, not the outside, of the elbow. Anyone who repeatedly uses the wrists or clenches the fingers can develop golfer’s elbow.As with all overuse injuries, rest is essential to healing. Sneaking in a round of golf before your elbow heals won’t help you feel better—it will only prolong your recovery.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome – Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve in the elbow region becomes compressed or entrapped.Although this condition may arise following local trauma, it often has no apparent trigger. The largest contributing factor is elbow position during sleep. The problem may also occur when you stretch the nerve or perform repetitive activities that involve reaching overhead or bending your elbow.
Can’t find the condition you are looking for? Contact us to learn about additional conditions we treat.