[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/02\/elbow-pain\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/02\/elbow-pain\/","headline":"What May Cause Your Elbow Pain","name":"What May Cause Your Elbow Pain","description":"Elbow pain is common. It also has the potential to greatly impact your daily life, making even the simplest tasks feel unbearable. Elbow pain can lead to reduced mobility in the elbow joint, affecting your ability to enjoy everyday activities. That\u2019s why seeking early treatment for it is vital. Elbow Pain Reasons Your elbow joint […]","datePublished":"2024-02-14","dateModified":"2024-03-31","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","name":"UPMC Orthopaedic Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/orthopaedics-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/orthopaedic-surgery\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-1152834631.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/GettyImages-1152834631.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/02\/elbow-pain\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Orthopaedics"],"wordCount":999,"articleBody":"Elbow pain is common. It also has the potential to greatly impact your daily life, making even the simplest tasks feel unbearable.Elbow pain can lead to reduced mobility in the elbow joint, affecting your ability to enjoy everyday activities. That\u2019s why seeking early treatment for it is vital.Elbow Pain ReasonsYour elbow joint is where three bones come together. These are your upper arm bone (humerus) and your ulna and radius, the two bones that make up your forearm.Cartilage surrounds this joint. Ligaments hold it in place. Tendons connect it to your muscles, allowing your arm to move in different ways.The balance and relationship between each of these parts are crucial for elbow function. Upsetting that balance can lead to discomfort.There are a variety of reasons for elbow pain. These can include overuse or injury and underlying medical conditions. However, most elbow injuries fall into two categories — either acute or chronic.Acute injuryA fall, a jarring movement, or a direct blow to the elbow are all possible causes of an acute injury. It can also occur from a lifting injury, which may result in a tearing or popping sensation.\u201cIf someone sustains a fall and has severe pain in the elbow, they should seek urgent care to rule out a fracture,\u201d says Casey Kiser, MD. (Dr. Kiser is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery.) \u201cIf they feel a pop or tearing sensation in the elbow, that can be a sign of a ligament or tendon tear.\u201dChronic injuryThough acute injuries may result from a specific incident, chronic elbow injuries can stem from various causes.This type of injury often results from overuse or repetitive motion. Many jobs, hobbies, and activities require repetitive movements of the hand, wrist, or arm.These can lead to elbow pain. Overuse injuries can also occur after a lifestyle change such as a large increase in exercise or activity.\u201cIf a patient\u2019s elbow injury is more chronic in nature and continues to worsen despite basic conservative treatments like ice, rest, and activity modification, then it may be time to have it evaluated,\u201d says Dr. Kiser.Some may also develop arthritis of the elbow joint, though this is much rarer.Common Elbow InjuriesElbow pain can present itself in many ways. These include tennis elbow, golfer\u2019s elbow, and bursitis.Understanding the distinct symptoms and causes of each condition can help pinpoint the reason for your discomfort. It can also tell you how best to treat it.Tennis elbowLateral epicondylitis \u2014 or tennis elbow \u2014 is one of the most common elbow injuries. It’s an overuse injury that causes inflammation or degeneration of the tendons on the outside of the forearm. These tendons allow you to extend and lift your hand.\u201cPatients with tennis elbow will feel pain in the lateral side of their elbow, where it could radiate into their forearm causing discomfort when gripping or lifting,\u201d says Dr. Kiser. \u201cIt\u2019s one of the most common conditions that I treat.\u201dMedications, bracing, and injections are typical treatments for tennis elbow. It doesn’t usually require surgery. However, those who have exhausted all non-operative measures may end up needing surgery.Golfer\u2019s elbowGolfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is also an overuse injury. It causes inflammation of the muscle on the inside of the elbow and is very painful. This pain can run from the bony point of your elbow far into your forearm.Although it\u2019s a common golf injury, it doesn\u2019t happen only to golfers. Any activity that requires repetitive forearm movement \u2014 such as using a screwdriver or painting \u2014 can also cause golfer\u2019s elbow.Conservative treatments like rest, ice, and stretching can help. You can also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to reduce elbow pain and inflammation.Elbow fracturesElbow fractures can often occur from falls because people often brace a fall with the elbow. A fractured elbow may make it impossible to straighten the arm. Pain, swelling, and bruising are common results of this.Non-operative immobilization can treat some fractures. However, having the best possible outcome often requires surgery. Treatment is case by case depending on the fracture and its severity.Tendon injuriesMany people may experience a torn tendon. This can include a distal bicep tendon tear or distal tricep tendon tears.These can prove common among middle-aged men. They usually present as a pop or tear in the elbow while lifting something heavy.\u201cA bicep tear can be common for people when heavy lifting, especially when they take on too much weight at once,\u201d says Dr. Kiser. \u201cOnce they realize that it\u2019s heavier than they expected, they may feel a tear or a pop.\u201dBiceps and triceps tendon tears usually require surgery to ensure the best outcome and recovery.How to Prevent Elbow PainThough elbow pain can prove common, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of sustaining an elbow injury.Making simple adjustments to everyday behaviors and activities can go a long way. To prevent elbow injury, try to follow these tips:Avoid lifting more than you can handle.Avoid overuse by taking breaks.Don\u2019t push through pain.Lift in an ergonomic way.Minimize your fall risk.\u201cThe best way to prevent elbow injuries is to be smart with your activity,\u201d says Dr. Kiser.\u201cMinimize your fall risk as best you can and don\u2019t lift more than you need to. Stop thinking, \u2018No pain, no gain.\u2019 It doesn\u2019t work and it only propagates the inflammation.\u201dAt the gym, for example, try to work in more reps with less weight instead of overlifting and causing injury.\u201cIf you\u2019re doing something and it\u2019s hurting, don\u2019t push through that pain. Back off and find a different way,\u201d says Dr. Kiser. \u201cAnd if the pain persists, consider talking to your health care provider.\u201dEditor's Note: This article was originally published on February 14, 2024, and was last reviewed on March 31, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2024","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What May Cause Your Elbow Pain","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/02\/elbow-pain\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]