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Elbow Injuries and Disorders

Your elbow joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the elbow joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have elbow problems.

Many things can make your elbow hurt. A common cause is tendinitis, an inflammation or injury to the tendons that attach muscle to bone. Tendinitis of the elbow is a sports injury, often from playing tennis or golf. You may also get tendinitis from overuse of the elbow.

Other causes of elbow pain include sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, bursitis and arthritis. Treatment depends on the cause.

Symptoms of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

The following features are indicative of Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • dull ache when at rest
  • pain when making a fist
  • pain when opening the fingers
  • soreness around the affected elbow bump
  • weak grip
  • difficulties and pain when trying to grasp objects

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Common Causes of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

The following are the most common causes of Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • broken arm
  • bursitis
  • dislocated elbow
  • golfer's elbow
  • osteoarthritis
  • osteochondritis dissecans

Other Causes of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

The following are the less common causes of Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • sprains and strains
  • exposure to stress fractures
  • soreness and tenderness at the elbow region
  • throwing injuries
  • trapped nerves due to compression of nerve root
  • lack of strength in the shoulder muscles
  • inappropriate sporting equipment
  • poor technique during sporting activities
  • repetitive movements of the hands and arms

Risk Factors for Elbow Injuries and Disorders

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • excessive movement around joints
  • preseason supraspinatus weakness

Prevention of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Elbow Injuries and Disorders. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • always warm up and cool down thoroughly when playing sports
  • make sure to use good technique and proper equipment when playing sports
  • do strengthening exercises with hand weights
  • avoid or modify work tasks that put excessive pressure on the muscles of the forearm

Occurrence of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Elbow Injuries and Disorders cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Elbow Injuries and Disorders most commonly occurs in the following age group:
  • Aged between 35-50 years

Common Gender

Elbow Injuries and Disorders can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • Upper extremity evaluation: To diagnose elbow injury
  • Baseline radiographs: Early recognition and diagnosis of elbow injury
  • Clinical testing: To diagnose the elbow injury

Doctor for Diagnosis of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • Orthopaedician

Complications of Elbow Injuries and Disorders if untreated

Yes, Elbow Injuries and Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Elbow Injuries and Disorders is left untreated:
  • heterotopic ossification
  • Essex-Lopresti injury
  • neurovascular injury
  • residual instability

Procedures for Treatment of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

The following procedures are used to treat Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • Surgery: Surgical repair of torn tendon bone
  • Focused aspiration of scar tissue (FAST): Removes the tendon scar tissue without disturbing the surrounding healthy tendon tissue

Self-care for Elbow Injuries and Disorders

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • Take rest: Fasten the tissue healing process
  • Ice therapy: Decreases pain, muscle spasm and swelling
  • Use compresses: Keep the area compressed until the swelling has ceased
  • Elevate your legs: Raise the affected leg above the level of heart to reduce swelling

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Elbow Injuries and Disorders:
  • Acupuncture therapy: Treats chronic pain
  • Physical therapy: Stretch and strengthen the affected muscle-tendon unit

Time for Treatment of Elbow Injuries and Disorders

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Elbow Injuries and Disorders to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 3 - 6 months

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Elbow Injuries and Disorders.
Hand Injuries and Disorders
Wrist Injuries and Disorders

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