Elbow pain or tenderness may be caused by a traumatic or overuse injury. This describes aching or other discomfort in the elbow that is not related to direct injury.
Causes
Elbow tendinitis is an inflammation and injury to the tendons. Tendons are soft tissues attaching muscle to bone.
People who play racquet sports are most likely to injure the tendons on the outside of the elbow. This condition is commonly called tennis elbow. Golfers are more likely to injure the tendons on the inside of the elbow.
Sports that require extensive use of the wrist and arm, like baseball, may cause elbow tendonitis.
Other common causes of elbow pain are:
First Aid
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Prevention
For best treatment of Elbow Pain Visit Accessible Physical Therapy Services. Call now for Quick Treatment: (301) 593-7300
CausesElbow tendinitis is an inflammation and injury to the tendons. Tendons are soft tissues attaching muscle to bone.
People who play racquet sports are most likely to injure the tendons on the outside of the elbow. This condition is commonly called tennis elbow. Golfers are more likely to injure the tendons on the inside of the elbow.
Sports that require extensive use of the wrist and arm, like baseball, may cause elbow tendonitis.
Other common causes of elbow pain are:
- Bursitis - inflammation of a fluid-filled cushion beneath the skin
- Arthritis - narrowing of the joint space and loss of cartilage in the elbow
- Elbow strains
- Infection of the elbow
- Apply ice up to 15 minutes every hour for the first day. Continue to apply ice every 3 to 4 hours for up to 3 days. Wrap the ice in a cloth (do not apply ice directly to the skin).
- Wrap the elbow with a bandage, such as an ACE bandage, to keep the elbow immobilized.
- Keep the elbow elevated above your heart, if possible.
- Give the elbow joint complete rest for at least 2 days. DO NOT return to the activity that caused the problem for at least 3 weeks. Then, gradually strengthen the muscles around your elbow. A physical therapist can teach you how to do this.
- While you are resting the joint, take pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- After the initial rest period, you should begin to gradually strengthen the muscles around the elbow through gentle flexibility exercises.
- You have prolonged tendinitis that does not improve with home care
- Pain is due to direct elbow injury
- There is obvious deformity
- You are unable to use the elbow
- You have a fever or swelling and redness of your elbow
- Reduce the activity that causes the pain.
- Warm-up slowly. Stretch the forearm before, during and after exercise.
- Use an “elbow sleeve” to help keep your arm warm while playing.
- For tennis, use the correct grip size, a two-handed backhand and proper tension racquet strings.
- Perform regular stretching and strengthening exercises.
