How to Treat Elbow Injuries

Elbow pain is a common ailment, and can be the result of a number of conditions. To most accurately diagnose your problem, it is important that you consult with a doctor or orthopedic specialist. Elbow injuries can be caused by a wide variety of issues, such as repetitive movement, bursitis, cubital tunnel syndrome and fractures. Most elbow pain is the result of sports and everyday activities, such as playing tennis, or from falls or car accidents. While the treatment for your elbow injury depends on the cause, there are some basic steps that you can take to alleviate your discomfort.

Things You'll Need

• Elbow pain

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Instructions

• 1

  Ice the elbow. This will help to reduce inflammation that is one of the most common causes of elbow pain, especially if you are suffering golfer's or tennis elbow. Wrap an ice pack in a hand towel or tea towel, and place on the injured part of the elbow. Leave it on the elbow or affected area for a minimum of 10 minutes.

• 2

  Take over the counter anti-inflammatory medication, such as Advil or Tylenol. Be sure to follow the directions on the package, since overdosing can cause permanent liver damage.

• 3

  Rest the affected arm for a few days. Avoid any activities or sports that aggravate the injury. This will allow the ligaments and tendons in the elbow to heal properly. If you are unable to rest to elbow--if you are a day laborer, for instance--warm up your arm with gentle stretching before beginning any activity.

• 4

  Consult your doctor. He will be able to advise you further and recommend surgery or cortisone injections to help heal your elbow and reduce any pain.