Musculoskeletal pain, including discomfort in the elbow joint, can significantly diminish an individual’s quality of life. It can be both physically and financially challenging for someone, as it can be debilitating and can lead to medical expenses and loss of income.
In this article, we’ll look into the various causes of elbow joint pain, the diagnostic process, and the range of effective treatment options available to help you find relief and regain mobility.
Why Your Elbow Hurts: Potential Causes of Elbow Joint Pain
The elbow joint is a complex hinge joint that allows for flexion, extension, and a limited degree of rotation. Given its intricate anatomy and the demands on our elbows, it’s no surprise that this is prone to various injuries and conditions. Let’s explore the most common causes of elbow joint pain:
Anterior Elbow Pain
Anterior elbow pain refers to discomfort or pain experienced in the front part of the elbow joint. This type of pain can be caused by various conditions and factors affecting the anterior (front) elbow region structures.
Biceps tendinitis is often associated with this condition, which occurs when the biceps tendon, which connects the biceps muscle to the elbow joint, becomes inflamed due to overuse, repetitive stress, or trauma.
Lateral Elbow Pain
Lateral elbow pain is a condition that affects the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outer part of the elbow. Potential causes of lateral elbow pain include the following:
- Lateral Epicondylitis: It’s a condition that affects the tendons attaching to the lateral epicondyle of the upper arm bone. Associated symptoms include weakness in grip strength and discomfort when lifting or gripping objects.
- Posterior Interosseous Syndrome: This condition explicitly impacts the deep branch of the radial nerve after it goes through the radial tunnel. Associated symptoms include the inability to extend the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal joints.
- Radial Tunnel Syndrome: It’s a condition that occurs when the radial nerve is compressed in the forearm. It’s a common occupational hazard for those performing repetitive elbow extension and forearm rotation.
Medial Elbow Pain
Medial elbow pain is characterized by discomfort or pain felt on the inner part of the elbow joint. Various conditions affecting the structures on the medial aspect of the elbow can cause this type of pain, including the following:
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition characterized by compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the cubital tunnel at the inner aspect of the elbow. In severe cases, it can lead to muscle wasting in the hand.
- Medial Epicondylitis causes inflammation or degeneration of the tendons that connect to the inner part of the humerus or upper arm bone. Aside from pain, common symptoms include difficulty gripping objects and discomfort when bending the wrist against resistance.
- Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injuries: The UCL is a thick band of tissue that connects the humerus to the ulna on the inner side of the elbow, providing stability to the joint. Patients with this condition can experience a “pop” sensation followed by pain in acute injuries.
Posterior Elbow Pain
Posterior elbow pain refers to discomfort or pain experienced at the back of the elbow joint. This type of pain can be caused by various conditions affecting the structures on the posterior aspect of the elbow, including the olecranon process, bursa, tendons, and soft tissues.
It may be attributed to conditions such as the following:
- Olecranon Bursitis: This condition is caused by repetitive pressure, trauma, systemic diseases (aseptic), and bacterial infection, often due to skin breakdown or puncture wounds (septic).
- Posterior Impingement occurs when soft tissues at the back of the elbow are compressed during full extension of the joint. Associated symptoms include locking or catching sensation, swelling, and tenderness.
- Triceps Tendinopathy: Triceps tendinopathy involves degeneration of the triceps tendon, which attaches to the olecranon process. It’s often a result of overuse or repetitive stress. Associated symptoms include stiffness, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity, and weakness in elbow extension.
How Healthcare Professionals Diagnose and Evaluate Your Pain
Accurate diagnosis of the cause of your elbow pain is vital to developing a successful treatment plan. Healthcare professionals typically follow a comprehensive evaluation process that includes:
Medical History
At your initial consultation, your healthcare provider will ask thorough questions about your medical history, the timeline and progression of your symptoms, and any previous injuries or conditions that might add to your elbow pain.
Physical Examination
A thorough physical examination is essential for identifying your elbow pain’s specific location and nature. Your healthcare provider may perform various tests, such as the hook test, middle finger test, and milking maneuver, to assess the function and integrity of the elbow joint and surrounding structures.
Diagnostic Tests
Your healthcare provider may request imaging tests like X-rays, MRI scans, or ultrasound to get a clearer picture of your elbow joint pain and determine any underlying conditions. Additional tests may be requested to check for infection, inflammation, and joint fluid analysis when infection or crystal arthropathy is suspected.
Aspiration
If the diagnosis is unclear or symptoms persist, your doctor may consider aspiration, a procedure done to collect a sample of the fluid in your elbow joint for further testing. Complications, including infection, can be associated with this procedure, so this isn’t commonly done unless necessary.
Elbow Joint Pain Treatment Options
Once the underlying cause of your elbow joint pain has been identified, your healthcare provider will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs. The following treatment options are commonly employed to help relieve elbow joint pain:
Rest, Home Remedy, and Lifestyle Modification
A combination of rest, ice, heat, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can help alleviate elbow joint pain and promote healing. Additionally, adjusting your daily activities and avoiding repetitive movements exacerbating your symptoms can be beneficial.
Over-the-Counter Painkillers
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can provide temporary relief for elbow joint pain and help reduce inflammation.
Rehabilitative Exercises and Physical Therapy
A customized physical therapy program that includes targeted exercises, manual therapy techniques, and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation can help improve the range of motion, strengthen the surrounding muscles, and reduce pain.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
ESWT is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to alleviate pain in the body for various conditions, including elbow pain. Several mechanisms have been proposed regarding how this therapeutic modality can help improve muscle pain. ESWT is said to help stimulate the body’s natural healing processes by:
- Increasing blood flow to the affected area
- This affects how pain signals are transmitted to the brain
- Having anti-inflammatory effects
Our expert team in Beyond Stem Cells offers this innovative treatment, so you can contact us for a consultation if you want to know if this treatment suits you.
Surgery
In cases where conservative treatments have been unsuccessful or in the presence of severe structural damage or deformity, your provider may recommend surgical intervention to address the underlying cause of your elbow joint pain.
When to See a Doctor
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly:
- Swelling and dislocation following trauma
- A tender, swollen joint
- Rapidly increasing mass or lump
These signs may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires immediate evaluation and treatment. Primary care providers are often recommended to refer these cases to secondary care providers for further assessment and treatment.
Effective Elbow Joint Pain Treatment at Beyond Stem Cells
At Beyond Stem Cells, our team of experienced healthcare professionals is dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive care for individuals suffering from elbow joint pain. We offer a range of advanced treatment options, including extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), to help you find lasting relief and regain your quality of life.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and reclaim your freedom from pain and discomfort.
References
Javed M, Mustafa S, Boyle S, Scott F. Elbow pain: a guide to assessment and management in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2015 Nov;65(640):610-2. doi: 10.3399/bjgp15X687625. PMID: 26500317; PMCID: PMC4617264.
Kane, S. F., Lynch, J. H., & Taylor, J. C. (2014, April 15). Evaluation of elbow pain in adults. AAFP. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/0415/p649.html
