Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help

Elbow pain is a common complaint that can happen to anyone at any time from athletes to manual laborers, office workers and stay-at-home or part-time parents. The elbow joint contributes to the flexion and extension of the arm and forearm rotation. Therefore, if anything is injured or strained in or around the elbow joint, it will cause you quite a bit of discomfort and impact your ability to work, play sports or even pick up something as simple as a cup of tea! Thankfully, most elbow joint pain can be managed conservatively / conservatively, provided a diagnosis is identified and treatment is started. Identifying the causes of elbow pain and symptoms and knowing when to seek the help of a professional can save you from long-term problems.

Common Causes of Elbow Pain

Elbow pain can result from a wide range of conditions, from sports injuries to overuse syndromes. Here are some of the most common causes:

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – Tennis Elbow occurs when the tendons located on the outside of your elbow become inflamed and painful due to repetitive movement, such as typing, painting, lifting, or using tools. As the name suggests, tennis elbow does not mean you have to be playing tennis in order to develop tennis elbow.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) – Golfer’s elbow is also similar to tennis elbow, but the pain is on the inside of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow is most commonly caused by repetitive gripping or wrist flexion activities.
Elbow Bursitis – The elbow has a small fluid filled sac called a bursa that sits over the tip of the elbow, acting to reduce friction. Injuries, prolonged pressure, or infections can cause the bursa to swell, resulting in elbow bursitis.
Sprains and Strains – The ligaments and muscles surrounding the elbow can be overstretched or torn by sudden movement or heavy lifting.
Arthritis – Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can cause stiffness, swelling, and chronic pain in the elbow joint.
Nerve Compression – The ulnar nerve (commonly referred to as your “funny bone” nerve) can become compressed at the elbow, resulting in symptoms of tingling, numbness, and shooting pain down the forearm.
Fractures and Dislocations – Accidents or falls can result in broken bones or a dislocated elbow joint that requires immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of Elbow Pain

Depending on the cause of elbow pain, its symptoms can be slightly different, but symptoms can also include the following:

A dull ache or sharp pain in or around the elbow
Swelling or tenderness
Weakness of the forearm or hand
Stiffness and limited range of motion
Pain when gripping, lifting, or twisting the arm
Tingling or numbness down the arm

If the symptoms are lasting longer, or getting worse, a proper diagnosis is important to get before it becomes chronic.

When to Seek Medical Help for Elbow Pain

Although mild elbow pain from overuse can get better with rest and home treatment, you should see a doctor if any of the following are true:

Pain persists for more than a few days despite resting
Swelling, redness or warmth surrounds the joint
Your elbow appears deformed or you can’t move it normally
You feel tingling, numbness or weakness in your arm
The pain began after you injured your elbow or fell on it

Getting any of these warnings checked early can help reduce long-term damage and help you recover faster.

Self-Care Tips for Managing Elbow Pain

If your elbow pain is mild and due to overuse, you can do the following at home:
- Rest– Do not do anything that brings on pain until you feel better.
- Ice– Ice packs placed on the elbow for 15-20 minutes multiple times per day can be helpful for inflammation.
- Compression– Use an elbow brace or strap to create support and relieve the stress created on the tendons.
- Elevation– Elevating the elbow can improve swelling.
- Gentle Stretching– Gentle exercises can maintain mobility without straining the joint.

Preventing Elbow Pain

Prevention is better than cure. You can reduce the chances of having elbow joint pain by:

Using correct technique when weight-lifting or playing sports
Taking regular bouts of rest if you’re doing repetitive activities
Doing specific exercises to strengthen your forearm muscles
Maintaining good posture when at work or using a computer
Avoiding sudden increase in the intensity of the activity

Why Ignoring Elbow Pain Can Be Risky

Most will brush off elbow pain as an inconvenience but ignoring it can lead to you suffering from an elbow condition for years. Consider this may develop into chronic elbow pain, long-term stiffness and permanent loss of mobility in the elbow. Tennis or golfer’s elbow are both examples of conditions that will worsen over time if left untreated and you may be left with a more difficult recovery later on.