What causes elbow pain?
Some of the many causes of elbow pain include:
Arthritis of the elbow
Although uncommon, osteoarthritis can develop in the elbow. Osteoarthritis causes your cartilage to break down, resulting in painful elbow movement as your bones connect. It usually develops with wear-and-tear as your body ages but can also occur after elbow trauma, such as a dislocation or bone fracture.
Lateral epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a tendon injury that happens with repetitive elbow overuse. It's common in tennis players but can occur in anyone who repeatedly flexes their elbow.
Elbow bursitis
Elbow bursitis occurs when the olecranon bursa — the cushioning sac at the end of your elbow — grows irritated and swells. This can happen with prolonged pressure, elbow trauma, or infection. Arthritis can increase your risk of bursitis, as well.
Biceps tendonitis
Biceps tendonitis is inflammation within the upper biceps tendon that links your biceps muscle to your shoulder. It typically appears at the same time as other shoulder damage, particularly affecting the rotator cuff tendon. Biceps tendonitis pain starts towards the top of your arm and radiates to your elbow.
If you have elbow pain, ROC Orthopedics offers immediate diagnosis and customized treatment plans to get you back to normal quickly.
How do you diagnose elbow pain?
Your ROC Orthopedics doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history before carefully examining your painful elbow. You may need imaging tests, such as X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound, to confirm your diagnosis.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend a diagnostic arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure in which they view the inside of your elbow joint to look for the cause of your pain. Arthroscopy is also part of treatment in some cases.
How is elbow pain treated?
Elbow pain treatment at ROC Orthopedics depends upon the causative condition, your symptoms, and your recovery goals. Options may include:
Conservative care
Conservative care might include non-surgical treatments like arm braces, activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other types of medication, depending on your particular condition.
Injections
Cortisone injections can significantly reduce elbow pain and swelling, but don’t treat the cause of your elbow pain.
Surgery
Depending on the cause of your elbow pain, you may need surgery to remove damaged tissue, repair or reattach damaged tissue, or resurface your elbow joint. If you have end-stage arthritis with severe elbow pain, you may need elbow joint replacement.
ROC Orthopedics has an outpatient surgery center, where they perform minimally invasive elbow procedures for a same-day discharge.
If you are experiencing elbow pain, call ROC Orthopedics or schedule a consultation online now.
