Elbow pain Health Article

Definition

This article describes aching or other discomfort in the elbow that is not related to direct injury.

Alternative Names

Pain - elbow

Common Causes

Elbow pain can be caused by a variety of problems. A common cause in adults is tendinitis, an inflammation and injury to the tendons -- soft tissues that attach muscle to bone.

People who play racquet sports are most likely to injure the tendons on the outside of the elbow. This condition is commonly called tennis elbow. Golfers are more likely to injure the tendons on the inside of the elbow.

Other common causes of elbow tendinitis are gardening, playing baseball, using a screwdriver, or overusing your wrist.

Young children commonly develop "nursemaid's elbow," usually when someone is pulling on their straightened arm. The bones are stretched apart momentarily and a ligament slips in between, where it becomes trapped when the bones try to snap back into place. Children will usually quietly refuse to use the arm, but often cry out with any attempt to bend or straighten the elbow. This condition is also called an elbow subluxation (a partial dislocation).

Other common causes of elbow pain are:

• Bursitis -- inflammation of a fluid-filled cushion beneath the skin
• Arthritis -- narrowing of the joint space and loss of cartilage in the elbow
• Elbow strains
• Infection of the elbow

Home Care

In adults, the following steps can help treat many cases of elbow pain:

• When you first notice the pain, apply ice up to 15 minutes every hour for the first day. Continue to apply ice every 3 to 4 hours for up to 3 days. Wrap the ice in a cloth -- do not apply ice directly to the skin.
• Wrap the elbow with a bandage, such as an ACE bandage. You may need an air splint to keep the elbow immobilized.
• Keep the elbow elevated above your heart, if possible.
• Give the elbow joint complete rest for at least 2 days. DO NOT return to the activity that caused the problem for at least 3 weeks. Then, gradually strengthen the muscles around your elbow. A physical therapist can teach you how to do this.
• While you are resting the joint, take pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• After the initial rest period, you should begin to gradually strengthen the muscles around the elbow through gentle flexibility exercises.

Nursemaid's elbow can be treated in a doctor's office or emergency room.