Chronic elbow pain can significantly impact your daily activities, from simple tasks like lifting groceries to more demanding sports movements and even your work day. The elbow, a hinge joint of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, is particularly vulnerable to overuse and injury. Persistent elbow pain may result from underlying conditions requiring specific treatment to ensure proper healing and relief.
At OSMC, we specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic elbow pain, helping you regain mobility and function. Let’s examine six typical causes of chronic elbow pain, their symptoms, and treatment approaches.
1. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a common overuse injury caused by repetitive motions that strain the tendons on the outer side of the elbow. While it’s named after tennis, this condition can affect anyone engaging in repetitive wrist and arm motions, such as painting, typing, or gardening.
People with tennis elbow often experience pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, which may radiate down the forearm. Simple actions like lifting objects or shaking hands can become painful. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections or regenerative treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may be necessary. Strengthening forearm muscles and improving repetitive activity techniques can help prevent tennis elbow.
2. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
A golfer’s elbow is similar to a tennis elbow but affects the tendons on the inner side of the elbow. This condition is common among athletes, especially golfers, baseball pitchers, and individuals performing repetitive gripping or heavy lifting.
Symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inner elbow, stiffness, and weakness in the wrist and hand. Treatment often involves rest, icing, and stretching exercises to reduce inflammation and improve mobility. For persistent pain, physical therapy or corticosteroid injections may be recommended. Preventive measures include proper warm-ups and avoiding overloading the forearm muscles.
3. Elbow Arthritis
Elbow arthritis is a degenerative condition where the cartilage in the elbow joint wears down over time, often due to aging, past injuries, or autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms include chronic pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion, with inflammatory cases showing redness and warmth.
Treatment options include lifestyle changes, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and joint injections. Severe cases may require surgery, such as joint replacement or arthroscopy. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of arthritis.
4. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve, which runs along the inner side of the elbow, becomes compressed or irritated. This condition is often caused by prolonged elbow bending, resting the elbow on hard surfaces, or repetitive activities that pressure the nerve.
Symptoms include numbness, tingling, weakness in the ring and pinky fingers, and pain in the inner elbow. Treatment focuses on relieving pressure on the nerve through activity modification, bracing, or physical therapy. Severe cases may require surgical decompression of the nerve. Avoid prolonged elbow flexion and use ergonomic work setups to prevent cubital tunnel syndrome.
5. Olecranon Bursitis
Olecranon bursitis, or “student’s elbow,” occurs when the bursa—a fluid-filled sac at the tip of the elbow—becomes inflamed due to trauma, prolonged pressure, or infection.
Symptoms include noticeable swelling at the back of the elbow, mild pain, and warmth in cases of infection. Non-infectious bursitis is treated with rest, icing, and anti-inflammatory medications, while infected bursitis may require aspiration or antibiotics. Preventive measures include wearing protective padding during activities that involve leaning on the elbows and taking frequent breaks.
6. Dislocated Elbow
A dislocated elbow occurs when the bones in the elbow joint are displaced, usually due to trauma from a fall or direct impact. It’s a common injury in adults and children, especially during sports or accidents. Symptoms include intense pain, swelling, visible joint deformity, and an inability to move the arm. Severe cases may result in nerve or blood vessel damage, causing numbness or circulation issues. It’s essential to seek immediate medical attention for a dislocated elbow. A healthcare provider may perform a closed reduction to realign the bones, often under sedation. Afterward, the elbow is immobilized with a splint or sling, and pain management is provided.
To prevent dislocations, safety measures during high-risk activities, such as wearing protective gear in sports, are important.
Expert Elbow Pain Treatment at Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center
Chronic elbow pain can interfere with your quality of life, and ignoring the symptoms may worsen the condition. Seek medical attention if your pain persists, limits your mobility, or is accompanied by swelling, redness, or numbness. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to ensuring a full recovery. Contact OSMC today to schedule an appointment with one of our experts or visit our walk-in orthopedic clinic near you.
