Sore Elbow
What to do about a sore elbow
There are many different reasons you might have a sore elbow, although the most common reason is some type of elbow injury. Probably the number one reason for a sore elbow is when someone hits the bone at the back of the elbow. This is known as the funny bone, although it’s certainly not very funny when this bone is hit. The pain from this type of sore elbow is very intense, although it’s nothing to worry about. If you hit your funny bone, the pain should go away by itself without any treatment.
Another very common reason for a sore elbow is an injury known as tennis elbow. This injury is caused by straining the muscles of the elbow. The most common cause of tennis elbow is the repetitive motion involved in racquet sports like tennis.
The proper name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis, and the reason it is known as tennis elbow is because it is a very common injury for tennis players to get. Tennis elbow involves the muscles that straighten the fingers and the wrist. These muscles are connected directly to the elbow on the outside, so straining these muscles can cause a very sore elbow. If the problem is not treated, the pain may begin to shoot up the upper arm and down the outside of the forearm.
The sore elbow caused by tennis elbow is caused by miniscule breaks in the tissue that connects the muscles and the bone. These breaks cause inflammation in the elbow, which creates a lot of pain and swelling. Sometimes tennis elbow will go away immediately, but other times the pain may last five years or more.
In addition to tennis elbow, there are also other similar injuries that may require medication or treatment. Tennis elbow and injures that are like it are caused by overuse of the arm and elbow. Bursitis, tendinosis, and nerve compression are all caused by overuse of the arm and elbow. The major sign of bursitis is swelling behind the elbow. Tendinosis is a series of tiny tears in the tissue around the tendon in the elbow. Nerve compression involves the pinching of the nerve near the elbow joint. Another injury that’s very similar to tennis elbow is golfer’s elbow. However, the two injuries differ because golfer’s elbow effects the inside of the elbow, while tennis elbow affects the outside.
Other causes for a sore elbow are usually acute and require treatment. Usually if an acute injury is the cause of your sore elbow, you will know immediately when the injury occurs. Injuries like sprains or ligament tears tend to be very sudden and painful. Other common acute injuries include muscle tears and dislocations of the elbow.
You should always see a doctor any time you have a sore elbow that lasts for a while and isn’t a simple case of hitting your funny bone. The elbow is a very complex joint, and you should have your pain evaluated by a doctor.