Whether your job or favorite hobby requires the use of your arms, the elbow is a highly complex joint that is prone to injury and overuse. If you experience pain, swelling, tingling, or other symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor immediately for effective, regenerative treatment.

Often, the culprit is mechanical misalignments in the spine that impact the elbows. Nerve impingement and repetitive stress are other common causes of elbow pain.

Fractures (broken bones) are one of the most common causes of elbow pain. They can happen because of a fall or car accident, sports injury, or just from over-using your elbow. Some fractures are very obvious, while others are not. For example, if you have a thin crack in the bone called a hairline fracture, it may not show on x-rays and is often not painful.

If the broken bones are not displaced and there is no risk of nerve or artery injuries, you can be treated non-surgically with a cast, splint or a brace. Your doctor can recommend medications to manage the pain and swelling, and possibly traction therapy.

When the bones heal, physical therapy is usually needed to help return normal movement and strength to the elbow and arm. You can also take steps to prevent fractures in the future by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of calcium and vitamin D, and exercising regularly, especially weight-bearing exercise.

While not as serious as a fracture, sprains and strains can also be the cause of elbow pain. These injuries occur when ligaments (tissue that connects bones to each other and keeps joints in place) or muscles and tendons are stretched or torn.

A medical professional diagnoses a sprain or strain with a physical exam and a discussion of symptoms. They will move your injured elbow through its range of motion, checking for pain, tenderness and weakness.

X-rays can help your doctor see the injury, as bones show up white on an X-ray, while soft tissues like muscle and tendon are darker. They can also look for a buildup of fluid, which is a sign of a sprain. Treatment for sprains and strains starts with rest, icing (apply a cold pack for 15-20 minutes every two to three hours), and compression (wrapping the area lightly, not too tightly). You can also take medicines such as ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray.

Nerves that become trapped (compressed) can cause pain, tingling or numbness in the area where they are compressed. This can be caused by direct pressure or from reduced blood flow to the nerve due to a tight muscle. Trapped nerves typically affect the arms and legs but can also occur in the neck and chest.

The ulnar nerve lies behind your elbow and runs down your arm to your fingers. This nerve allows you to straighten your elbow, move your fingers and thumb and provides feeling near your little finger and ring finger. If your ulnar nerve becomes compressed it can cause a dull ache and altered sensations in your fingers and hand. Your doctor can check for this by doing a physical exam and tapping the spot where your ulnar nerve crosses the bone at your elbow. Your doctor may also order a medical test called a nerve conduction study to see whether the compression is causing muscle damage in your fingers and hand.

Normally, the ends of your bones are coated in a slippery layer of cartilage that helps you move smoothly. But the cushioning cartilage may wear down as you age, or you might have an injury that exposes the bone surfaces. Eventually, these exposed surfaces rub against each other, causing pain, swelling and other symptoms. Loose pieces of bone and cartilage can break off, further reducing movement.

Arthritis can also be caused by a rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, which results when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues. In both types of arthritis, the joint space narrows over time, and the bones rub against each other.

Our doctors diagnose osteoarthritis based on your medical history and physical exam, including the way you use your elbow. They’ll request standard X-rays to detect the presence of arthritic changes in the joint. They might also order MRI or CT imaging to visualize the extent of your damage.

It’s critical to comprehend the potential causes of elbow pain and look into the best available elbow treatments. To help you get over elbow pain and regain your strength, our team of committed healthcare specialists at LifeSpan Medicine offers thorough, individualized therapy.