Common causes for elbow pain
There are many reasons why you may be experiencing pain in your elbow. Regardless of the circumstances behind the injury, these injuries should be evaluated by a physiotherapist or chiropractor to help speed recovery and prevent long-term damage..
The following are some of the most common causes of elbow pain:
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow can be tendinitis or tendinosis. If there is inflammation in the tendons of the outer elbow (lateral epicondyle), it is considered tendinitis. Whereas, if it is related to repetitive tasks, it is more commonly tendonitis and will not respond to anti-inflammatory medication.
Examples of tasks commonly associated with tennis elbow include holding a tennis racket, a paintbrush, or a hammer. Tenderness around the outside of your elbow will be sharp, causing pain when gripping, lifting, or twisting your forearm.
Golfer’s elbow
Medial (inside) epicondylitis, also known as “golfer’s elbow,” is similar to tennis elbow, except the pain is on the inside of the elbow. This injury is typically caused by the overuse of the muscles that flex your wrist and fingers and can be tendinitis or a tendinosis, depending on if there is inflammation in the tendons surrounding the inner aspect of the elbow.
Elbow Sprain / Strain
Sprains and strains are often confused with one another! A sprain happens when a ligament is overstretched or torn, whereas a strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn.
Sprains and strains in the elbow are common. An unexpected overstretching of the tissues can cause a tear and result in swelling, pain, and difficulty moving.
Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) sprain: The ligaments on the inner side of your elbow are stretched or torn due to a throwing motion. In professional baseball, injuries to the UCL account for 10% of all injuries and can be devastating to a player’s career.
Little Leaguer’s Elbow: (aka medial apophysitis) This is one of the most common overuse injuries experienced in adolescent baseball/softball. Young athletes are skeletally immature, and the effects of repetitive overhand throwing cause the inner elbow growth plate to become inflamed.
The pain is typically felt while throwing or immediately after. The pain is usually worse with more innings pitched or games played. In severe cases, motion loss can occur in either the bent or extended position.
When left untreated, some athletes may experience an avulsion fracture (i.e., a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone).
Tendinopathy
Tendinopathy is a diagnosis that describes any problem with a tendon, including disease, injury, or disorder. The most common types of injuries to a tendon include:
Tendonitis: Tendinitis is defined as an inflammation of the tendon. Acute injuries, including small or partial tearing, can result in an inflammatory response and pain, particularly when the affected area is moved.
Nerve injuries
Several nerves run from the upper arm through the elbow to the forearm and hand. The ulnar, radial, median, medial antebrachial cutaneous, and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves are subject to nerve injuries.
The most common nerve injuries include traction and compression, especially in athletes who place forceful, repetitive stresses across their elbow joints.
Elbow fractures (Olecranon)
Falls are the most common cause of upper extremity fractures, including elbow fractures. This is because the natural reaction is to try to catch yourself when falling and lead with the arm to absorb the fall.
Often immobilization is needed to allow the bones to mend and may result in stiffness, weakness, and persistent pain. Fortunately, our physiotherapists at PhysioPlus Health Group in Toronto have experience helping people of all ages restore their function after a fracture and immobilization!
Call today to make an appointment with one of our PhysioPlus Health Group physiotherapists. We will identify the source of your pain and recommend treatment options for quick relief and long-lasting results!
Are you searching for elbow pain relief in Toronto?
Chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment is especially effective at relieving elbow pain. PhysioPlus Health Group uses hands-on treatment to reduce pain, stimulate healing, increase circulation, and restore range of motion. Our chiropractors and physiotherapists in Toronto are experts at treating elbow pain and injuries and will figure out the cause and solutions for quick relief!
Our individualized treatment can also help improve strength, function, and the ability to use your elbow to your maximum potential. We also offer cutting-edge treatment solutions such as Shockwave Therapy to help you relieve pain, increase your range of motion, restore your strength, and return to your everyday activities.
During your appointments with your PhysioPlus Health Group physiotherapist or chiropractor, they will assess your elbow and conduct a thorough history to determine the underlying causes of your situation. Next, your therapist will create a customized treatment plan to relieve your pain, improve your motion and strength, and restore your function back to normal.
Every treatment is different because every patient is different! Your therapist will give you a home with exercises you can do to manage discomfort as you heal. These exercises will also allow you to continue making progress outside the clinic.
FIND RELIEF FROM ELBOW PAIN AND DISCOMFORT!
We’d be delighted to schedule an appointment for you at our Toronto physiotherapy facility. We’re excited to assist you in reclaiming the active, healthy lifestyle you deserve!
If elbow pain interferes with your quality of life, please contact PhysioPlus Health Group in Toronto as soon as possible.