Elbow Pain Causes and Treatments

As with other joints, injuries to the elbow can result from overuse or a blow, fall or other sudden trauma. Regardless of the cause, the result can be pain and difficulty doing daily activities. Here are some of the more common elbow injuries.

• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Bursitis
• Biceps tendon tear
• Dislocations

• Rest — Avoid putting weight on your elbow. Try to move as little as possible for the first few days.
• Ice — Begin by putting a bag of ice on your elbow for at least 20 minutes at a time. Do this three to five times a day for three days after the injury. This helps reduce swelling and numb pain. Give yourself about 90 minutes between icing sessions.
• Over-the-Counter Medication — Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Bracing — Use a brace to immobilize your elbow.

• Pain does not go away
• You have difficulty bending your elbow
• You feel a locking sensation in the elbow
• A grating sound is heard with movement
• Swelling that will not go down

Most elbow disorders are the result of overuse and injury. Help prevent injury by using these tips:

• Correcting improper sports techniques
• Using a proper-sized grip on sports equipment
• Using proper tension on rackets
• Warming up and stretching properly
• Using elbow padding
• It’s also important to take breaks from repetitive tasks and practice exercises that can help strengthen the muscles around your elbow joint