Types of Elbow Pain
Cliff Russell is a Registered East Grinstead Osteopath with years of experience helping people with Elbow Pain. Elbow pain can have many different causes. Over the years I have successfully helped people with all of the elbow problems listed below.
Some of the most common elbow complaints include:
Overuse: Activities that involve repetitive motions, such as playing tennis or typing on a computer, can cause strain on the elbow joint and lead to pain.
Injuries: Falls, fractures, dislocations, and sprains can cause damage to the elbow joint and surrounding tissues.
Arthritis: Various forms of arthritis can affect the elbow joint and cause pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Bursitis: This is a condition where the small fluid-filled sacs (bursae) around the elbow joint become inflamed, often due to overuse or injury.
Tendinitis: This is a condition where the tendons that connect the muscles to the bones become inflamed, often due to overuse or repetitive motions.
Tennis Elbow: Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the outer part of the elbow. Despite its name, tennis elbow can affect anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm muscles, not just tennis players.
The condition is typically caused by repetitive motion and overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm that attach to the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outer part of the elbow. This can lead to small tears in the tendons and inflammation of the surrounding tissue.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow can include:
Pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow
Weakness in the forearm
Difficulty gripping or lifting objects
Stiffness in the elbow joint
Pain that worsens with activity or gripping
Diagnosis of tennis elbow usually involves a physical exam and a review of the individual's medical history and symptoms. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI, may be used to rule out other conditions.
Treatment for tennis elbow typically involves a combination of rest, physical therapy (E.g. Osteopathy), and pain management. In some cases, a brace or splint may be used to immobilise the elbow and reduce stress on the affected tendons. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroid injections may also be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
Golfer's Elbow: Golfer's elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the inner part of the elbow. Despite its name, golfer's elbow can affect anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm muscles, not just golfers.
The condition is typically caused by repetitive motion and overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm that attach to the medial epicondyle, the bony bump on the inner part of the elbow. This can lead to small tears in the tendons and inflammation of the surrounding tissue.
Symptoms of Golfer's Elbow can include:
Pain and tenderness on the inner part of the elbow
Weakness in the forearm
Difficulty gripping or lifting objects
Stiffness in the elbow joint
Pain that worsens with activity or gripping
Compressed nerves: Several nerves can get compressed near the elbow, leading to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arm, forearm, wrist, or hand. Some of the most common nerves that can get compressed near the elbow include:
Ulnar nerve: This nerve travels along the inside of the elbow and can get compressed at the cubital tunnel, which is a narrow passage of tissue behind the elbow. Cubital tunnel syndrome can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the ring and little fingers.
Radial nerve: This nerve runs along the outside of the elbow and can get compressed at the radial tunnel, which is a narrow passage of tissue near the elbow joint. Radial tunnel syndrome can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the forearm and hand.
Median nerve: This nerve runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, but can also get compressed at the elbow in some cases. Pronator teres syndrome can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the forearm and hand, similar to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Musculocutaneous nerve: This nerve travels along the front of the upper arm and can get compressed near the elbow. This can cause weakness in the biceps muscle and numbness or tingling in the forearm.
Over the years I have successfully helped people with all of the elbow problems listed above.
If you are looking for an Osteopath in East Grinstead, please get in touch with:
Cliff Russell, Registered Osteopath
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