Your elbow joint brings together three bones – the ulna and radius, which make up your forearm, and the humerus, or your upper arm bone. All of these bones have cartilage on the end that absorbs shock and allows them to slide against each other. Additionally, they are held together by ligaments and connected to tendons through muscles. This complicated system of bones and soft tissue is the reason you can make different motions with your arms. If any of the parts got injured or inflamed, you might experience elbow pain Scottsdale. Here are five ways this can happen.
Fractures, Ruptured Tendons, and Dislocations (Mechanical Injuries)
Bone fractures in the elbow are often characterized by pain that worsens when you move the joint or apply pressure to it. You may also experience loss of function, bruising, swelling, or deformation if the bone protrudes through the skin. Whenever you notice or suspect a fracture, you should seek immediate medical attention to save your elbow. This also applies to dislocations, ruptured tendons, and other mechanical injuries to the elbow caused by sudden trauma.
Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow (Wear and Tear)
Your joints are subject to wear and tear, which can be exacerbated by regular, repetitive motions. In the case of tennis elbow, you may experience pain due to overusing the forearm. This pain may worsen when you lift objects, shake hands with people, or open containers. While it more commonly affects tennis players, you may also be at risk if your day involves repetitive wrist and arm motions. The same can be said for similar conditions like a golfer’s elbow, which is caused by repetitive swinging or gripping.
Arthritis and Bone Spurs (Bone and Joint Problems)
Sometimes, your elbow pain may be caused by problems in your elbow bones or joints. Arthritis, for example, is characterized by a loss of cartilage in the joint and can cause sharp pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. A similar condition is bone spurs, which result from body projections developing on the bone surface. In addition to pain, you may experience the formation of corns and calluses.
Tendonitis and Bursitis (Inflammation)
Tendonitis refers to the inflammation of the tendons, usually caused by sudden trauma or overuse. You know your elbow pain is tendonitis-related when it is accompanied by loss of motion, swelling, and tenderness. Alternatively, your pain could be the result of bursitis or inflammation of the bursae. These are the fluid-filled sacs found between the muscles, bones, and tendons to limit friction. Bursitis elbow pain presents similar symptoms to tendonitis.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Nerve Problems)
Also referred to as ulnar neuropathy, cubital tunnel syndrome is the irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve. This nerve runs through the funny bone found on the side of your elbow. When it is irritated or compressed, you may experience pain, muscle weakness, and numbness.
Don’t Tolerate Elbow Pain
Elbow pain can result from fractures, inflammation, nerve damage, injury, or normal wear and tear. Whatever the case, you do not have to live with the pain and reduced range of motion. You can contact your doctor to discuss your symptoms and suitable treatment. This is especially important if your pain is relentless even with home treatments like ice and rest or is accompanied by bruising and loss of motion. Through modern medicine, your orthopedic surgeon can relieve your elbow pain symptoms.
