Elbow Pain and Injuries
Everyone has had a elbow injury. You may have bumped at the back of your elbow, causing shooting numbness and pain. Your elbow has become sore after activity. Elbow injuries can be minor or serious and may include symptoms such as pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, weakness, or decreased range of motion.
Injuries are the most common cause of elbow pain. Some people may not recall having had a specific injury, especially if symptoms began gradually or during everyday activities.
Elbow injuries occur most commonly during:
- Sports or recreational activities.
- Work-related tasks.
- Falls.
Most elbow injuries in children occur during activities, such as sports or play, or are the result of accidental falls. Any injury in a child or teen that occurs near a joint may injure the growing end (growth plate) of long bones and needs to be evaluated.
Older adults have a higher risk for injuries and fractures because they lose muscle mass and bone strength (osteoporosis) as they age.
An acute elbow injury may be caused by a fall or by jerking an elbow. Pain may be sudden and severe. Bruising and swelling may develop soon after the injury.
Overuse elbow injuries occur when too much stress is placed on a joint or other tissue, often by overdoing an activity or through repetition of an activity.
Common Elbow Condition:
- OLECRANON BURSITIS – Swelling behind the elbow.
- PULLED ELBOW / NURSEMAID’S ELBOW – Occurs when a child’s elbow is pulled and partially dislocates.
- TENNIS ELBOW – Tennis elbow is soreness or pain on the outer part of your elbow (lateral epicondyle).
- GOLFER’S ELBOW – Golfer’s elbow is pain or soreness in the inner part of the elbow (medial epicondyle).
- ULNAR NERVE COMPRESSION / PINCHED NERVE – The pinching of the ulnar nerve near the elbow joint. This usually occurs with repetitive motions.
Elbow Pain Specialist
