What causes elbow pain?

The elbow joint consists of a complex group of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons, with little to protect it. Your elbow is therefore vulnerable to acute and overuse injuries such as:

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow is inflammation of the tendons connecting your forearm muscles to the elbow bones. You feel the most pain on the bony bump on the outside of your elbow, and it comes from repetitive wrist and arm movements that cause tiny tears, also resulting in inflammation.

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)

Golfer’s elbow results from overuse of your forearm muscles and tendons. This causes deterioration of the common flexor tendon that attaches to the inside of your elbow.

Medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) injury

Repeated throwing can sprain or tear your MUCL on the inside of your elbow. This injury is common in baseball players and other athletes who do a lot of overhead throwing. The MUCL is also sometimes referred to as the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL).

Little League elbow (medial apophysitis)

Little League elbow affects the growth plates on the ends of children’s bones. Repetitive throwing damages the ligaments or may fracture the growth plates, resulting in pain and swelling on the inside of your child’s elbow.

Osteochondritis dissecans

Osteochondritis dissecans is another repetitive throwing condition. It affects the blood supply to the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, causing sections to pull away or break loose. The pain is on the outside of the joint.

In addition to injuries, you might also get elbow pain from chronic conditions like arthritis.

What symptoms might I get with elbow pain?

In addition to elbow pain, you might experience symptoms such as:

• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Weakness
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Loss of function

You might hear popping or clicking noises in your elbow too. Some symptoms are a good indication of what’s causing your elbow pain; to be certain, your provider might order X-rays, a CT scan, MRI, or another diagnostic test.

How is elbow pain treated?

The treatment your provider at Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine recommends for elbow pain depends on the type of injury. Options include:

• Rest and activity modification
• Ice or cold compresses
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Immobilization in a cast
• Wearing a splint or brace
• Physical therapy
• Therapeutic massage
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Steroid injections

Severe elbow pain may require surgery — for example, UCL reconstruction (Tommy John surgery) to repair a complete tear of the ligament.

If you’re suffering from elbow pain, Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine provides the comprehensive care you need. Call the office today to schedule a consultation, or book an appointment online.