About Joint Elbow Pain

Pain in the elbow is almost always caused by overuse. Baseball players and bodybuilders are highly prone to joint elbow pain; so are tennis players and golfers. Elbow pain can be located in different areas. Elbow pain on the outside of the forearm and lower arm is usually caused by tendonitis. Pain on the inside of the elbow is a condition know as "Golfer's Elbow." A hyperextended elbow can be another problem associated with this area. Most elbow pain can be treated without surgery.

The Anatomy Of An Elbow

• The elbow is a joint where three bones meet: the radius on the thumb side of the forearm, the ulna on the little finger side of the forearm and the humerus or upper arm bone. The elbow is a hinge joint but it also enables a person to twist his forearm to allow him to push or pull objects.

  The ends of each of the intersecting bones are covered with articular cartilage, a white, slippery substance that permits the elbow to move into different positions without friction or damage. Each of the bones is connected with ligaments and encased in a convolution of forearm and arm muscles.

  The two main ligaments in the elbow are know as the medial collateral and lateral collateral ligaments. The former is on the inside edge of the forearm while the other is on the outside. These two ligaments connect the ulna and radius to the humerus bone. There is also an annular ligament that secures the radial head against the ulna bone. The ligaments around the joint combine to form a joint capsule, which is a sac that contains synovial fluid. The synovial fluid also prevents friction from occurring in the elbow area.

  The triceps muscle attaches to the ulna bone at the back of the arm. It allows a person to push objects. The biceps muscle is attached to the radius bone in front. It is used in pulling objects. In addition to these muscles, a series of forearm muscles are attached to the humerus bone. The ones that cross over the radial side of the forearm are used to extend the fingers. These muscles overlap a knobby area on the outside of the radius called the lateral epicondyle. The forearm muscles on the ulna side are used to make a fist. The ulna bone also has a protrusion at the bottom end of it called the medial epicondyle. There are three nerves that pass across the elbow: the ulnar, radial and medial nerves.

  The highly complex physiology of the elbow enables it to handle a demanding workload, but at times almost everyone is prone to joint elbow pain. These conditions can be anything from a simple strain to a tear. Understanding the makeup of the elbow enables one to get a clearer picture as to why pain occurs in the elbow.

Causes And Symptoms Of Joint Elbow Pain

• Elbow pain can be caused by a number of problems. One of the most common conditions is tendonitis, which occurs on the radial side of the forearm where the muscle overlaps the lateral epicondyle. Tendonitis is also called tennis elbow or epicondylitis. Symptoms can include a dull, nagging pain or weakness in the affected area. It stems from overuse of the forearms and elbow, which causes irritation between the forearm muscles and the lateral epicondyle. Inflammation and pain then set in as warning signs of the injury. Tendonitis is more common with people between the age of 35 and 65.

  Golfer's elbow is an irritation that occurs on the ulna side. This irritation emanates from contact between the forearm muscles and medial epicondyle protuberance on that side of the forearm. Golfers and pitchers can often have problem in that area from overuse.

  Joint elbow pain can also be as a result of a strain in the lower end of the biceps or triceps. Weightlifters who do dip exercises can have problems in this area. The exercise affects the lower triceps. Strains in the lower biceps can be caused by carrying heavy objects repetitively on a job.

  Ligament strains and tears can cause elbow pain. So can fractures and nerve damage. Symptoms of nerve damage can include a numbness in the fingers or hand; or a loss of movement in these areas. A doctor should be consulted for all of these conditions if pain or discomfort persists for more than a couple days.

  Arthritis can occur in the elbows of older individuals. Arthritis can cause severe pain and a lack of mobility in the elbow area.

Treatment For Joint Elbow Pain

• In most cases, ice can be used to treat conditions like tendonitis and golfer's elbow as well as hyperextension injuries. An ice pack can be compressed against the injury every couple of hours for the first 72 hours as needed. This will help assuage the inflammation. Ibuprofen and Advil can reduce swelling and pain as can corticosteroids, which will need to be prescribed by a doctor. Tendonitis and golfer's elbow require lots of rest as well. Physical activity should be avoided until the the inflammation and pain subside. Tendons can be ruptured if the pain is ignored and activity continues.

  Ligament strains can heal with rest, ice and sometimes slings and elbow braces. Tears usually have to be repaired through surgery. A doctor should be consulted either way, as the two injuries may have similar symptoms.

  Nerve damage can also be healed with rest and ice, as well as isolating movement in the affected area. This can be a serious condition. A doctor must be contacted immediately if nerve damage is suspected. Nerve damage, though mostly in extreme cases, can lead to permanent paralysis in the hand or fingers.

  A combination of good dietary habits, vitamins and bone supplements can help minimize the pain caused by arthritis. There are many bone supplements on the market such as Trigosamine, chondroitin and glucosamine and others that can counter the debilitating effects of arthritis and help sufferers regain naturally movement in their elbows.

Rehabilitation For Joint Elbow Pain

• In most cases, normal activity can resume after elbow pain and inflammation subside. Start out slowly and be careful not to irritate the affected area. A gradual return to normal activity is the best approach. Never rush it.

  In some cases, a physical therapist will be recommended. These professionals can help expedite the healing process.

How To Prevent Joint Elbow Pain

• The best way to prevent joint elbow pain is to exercise regularly and eat a well-balanced diet. Never overdo it on the exercise. And be sure to stretch the forearms and elbow area to warm up. Simply placing the palm of the hand on the wall can stretch both sides of the forearm. Place the fingers upright to stretch the radius side and face them downward to stretch the ulnar-side muscles.

  Some doctors and fitness experts advocate strengthening the shoulder muscles to help prevent joint elbow pain. A stronger shoulder will take pressure off the elbow when someone is engaged in rigorous activity.

  Always avoid doing too many repetitive motions of the elbow. And do not bend it unnaturally during heavy activity. Icing after physical activity is also recommended, especially for athletes and weightlifters. Icing should become a regular part of a post-workout routine, especially for those 50 and over.