Elbow Pain

Known in the medical field as “lateral epicondylitis,” tennis elbow occurs when the tendons become inflamed or damaged from overuse and repetitive motions, and results in pain and tenderness of the elbow joint.

While tennis elbow involves inflamed or damaged tendons on the outside of the elbow, golfer’s elbow involves inflamed or damaged tendons on the inside of the elbow.

Often referred to as “ulnar nerve entrapment,” cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when the ulnar nerve in the elbow becomes compressed or irritated. The ulnar nerve is most commonly known as the “funny bone.” Symptoms include numbness or a tingling sensation for an extended period of time.

Often referred to as “RSD,” this chronic elbow pain disorder occurs after a surgery, injury, heart attack, or stroke. The chronic arm pain associated with RSD may be caused by nerve dysfunction or inflammation.

Usually occurring after injuries such as falling from a great height, dislocated elbows are the result of the elbow joints separating. Severe pain and disfiguration are common symptoms. Seek immediate medical care to have a dislocated elbow re-aligned and to avoid long-term damage.

This condition occurs when one or more tendons become inflamed, which may be caused by wear and tear, overuse, aging, or a previous injury that didn’t heal properly. The most common form of elbow tendonitis is tennis elbow.

Often referred to as “pulled muscles,” muscle sprains and strains are common sources of elbow pain. A sprained elbow involves overstretching or tearing of the ligaments, while a strain involves overstretching or tearing of the tendons or muscles.

When tendons and ligaments are stretched beyond their normal range of motion, they may tear partially or completely. A common location of a ligament tear in the elbow is the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). UCL tears are common in throwing sports such as baseball and softball.

Sometimes referred to as a “broken elbow,” a fracture is caused by a traumatic impact, such as a fall, sports injury, or a motor vehicle accident. One or more of the elbow’s bones may crack partially or break completely. The pain is severe, and may cause the elbow to appear deformed. Elbow fractures should be treated immediately at the nearest emergency room.

Commonly referred to as “R.A.,” rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the elbow. R.A. breaks down elbow cartilage, causing painful swelling (often severe) and stiffness.

Osteoarthritis results from normal wear and tear, overuse, and aging. Osteoarthritis breaks down the protective cartilage, causing the elbow bones to rub against each other and deteriorate, which leads to pain, stiffness, and inflexibility.

Post-traumatic arthritis occurs many years after an elbow injury. This results in degenerative cartilage damage, stiffness, and joint pain.