What causes elbow pain?
The top causes of elbow pain include:
Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
Tennis, golf, or any activity that uses similar arm movements place repetitive stress on the tendons that connect your arm muscles to your elbow, causing tendon tears and inflammation.
Elbow fractures
Any time you suffer a direct blow to your elbow or fall on an outstretched arm, the force can break the bones in your elbow joint.
Throwing injuries
Overhead arm motion causes stress on ligaments in your elbow. Frequently repeating the same motion leads to ligament injuries and stress fractures.
Cubital tunnel syndrome
The ulnar nerve goes from your neck to your hand. To get past your elbow, the nerve runs through the cubital tunnel, where it can become pinched.
Osteoarthritis
Though osteoarthritis isn’t as common in your elbow, the joint is susceptible to wear and tear damage.
What symptoms develop in addition to elbow pain?
The various problems that lead to elbow pain typically cause additional symptoms. You may experience:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty turning your forearm
- Loss of strength and power when throwing
- Tingling or numbness in your arm and hand
- Difficulty bending or straightening your elbow
- Sharp pain radiating from your elbow to your hand
If your ligament is injured, you may develop joint instability or the sensation that the bones could dislocate.
What type of treatment might I receive for elbow pain?
The team at Rincon Pain and Spine specialize in treatments that target the source of your pain. After evaluating your symptoms, performing an exam, and getting diagnostic imaging if needed, your doctor develops a customized treatment that includes therapies such as:
Interventional techniques
Interventional therapies target the nerves responsible for your pain. Techniques such as an anesthetic nerve block, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation relieve pain by blocking nerve signals before they can send the pain message to your brain. Your doctor may also inject steroids to reduce nerve inflammation.
Regenerative medicine
The team at Rincon Pain and Spine may inject platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the damaged tissues. The platelets release growth factors that accelerate healing and regulate inflammation. PRP is made in the office using a small sample of your blood.
Alternative therapies
Comprehensive care at Rincon Pain and Spine includes several alternative therapies. Your doctor may recommend cannabinoid (CBD) products, acupuncture, or an elbow brace to protect and stabilize your elbow and reduce your pain.
If you develop elbow pain, call Rincon Pain and Spine or request an appointment online.
