Elbow Joint Pain

The elbow is the joint, where three bones, humerus, ulna and radius meet. Humerus is the bone of the upper arm, while ulna and radius are the inner and outer bone of the forearm. Elbow joint can be termed as a hinge joint, that hold both the upper and fore arm together, and helps to move the arms forward and backward and also bend and straighten. Elbow joint pain can occur due to various reasons, though, most often it is the result of repeated use or excessive pressure on this particular joint. Below here is a brief account of the causes and treatment for elbow joint pain.

Elbow Joint Pain Causes and Symptoms

Elbow joint pain can be attributed to several factors including, excessive pressure on the joint, tendinitis, sprain, fractures, as well as certain diseases. A few of the most common causes of pain in the elbow joint are

    * Tennis elbow or elbow tendinitis accounts for a large number of elbow joint pain cases. It is also known as lateral epicondylitis, and affects the tendons that joins the muscles on the outer side of the elbow. The range of movement of the arm is generally not affected, due to tennis elbow.
    * Golfer's elbow is the name of medial epicondylitis, that affects the tendons on the inner part of the elbow and cause pain and discomfort. Again, the condition does not restrict the normal range of motion of the elbow, as the inner joint is not affected.
    * Another common cause of elbow joint pain is bursitis. Inflammation of the bursa at the tip of the elbow, which is termed as olecranon bursitis, can cause elbow joint pain. It can basically, occur due to an injury or trauma and diseases like, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
    * Sometimes, the compression of the ulnar nerve on the inner side of the elbow joint can lead to elbow pain. This condition is termed as cubital tunnel syndrome
    * Any fracture of the elbow joint or bones around it can also cause pain and discomfort in this area.
    * Like fracture, sprain of the ligaments in the elbow area can too cause pain of the elbow joint.
    * Apart from these, diseases like arthritis and gout that causes inflammation and stiffness of the joints can also be responsible for causing elbow joint pain. Sometimes, septic arthritis or bacterial infection of the elbow joint can too cause pain in this joint. However, this condition is more commonly found in people with suppressed immune system.
    * Rarely, bone tumors can be responsible for causing pain in the elbow joint.

Elbow joint pain can sometimes be accompanied by a few additional symptoms like, warmth and swelling of the joint, along with redness and tenderness. Sometimes, the condition can also restrict the range of motion of the elbow joint. If the joint pain is caused by septic arthritis, then fever and chills can accompany the condition.

Elbow Joint Pain Treatment

For treating elbow joint pain, you need to give rest to your elbow as much as possible by trying to reduce the activities that puts pressure on this joint. You can immobilize the joint with the help of a elbow brace. It can reduce the pain and accelerate the process of recovery. Application of ice pack can prove effective for elbow joint pain relief. Like ice pack, application of heat with heating pads can also provide significant relief in the pain of the elbow joint. However, for severe pain, medications can be required. Usually, aspirin and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can manage the pain associated with elbow joint pain. But, Occasionally cortisone injections may be required for relieving severe and persistent elbow joint pain. In the long run, recurrences of such pain can be controlled with the help of appropriate exercises. Read more on

    * Elbow Pain Relief
    * Arthritis Treatment
    * Elbow Tendonitis Treatment

However, if diseases like arthritis and gout are responsible for causing the pain in the elbow joint, then some other specific treatment options would be required for alleviating these conditions. For such diseases, it is better to consult your physician. One should talk to his or her physician, if elbow joint pain persists for more than two weeks. This would help to find out the underlying causes and develop a proper treatment plan accordingly.