Swollen Elbow
Common Causes for a Swollen Elbow
Having a swollen elbow can be an aggravating and annoying condition that may be caused by a variety of factors. Swelling is often accompanied by pain and limited range of movement. The best way to begin getting rid of your painful and swollen elbow is to find out what is causing the trouble. There are several ways to develop swelling in the elbow, some are common actions and others may caused by infection.
Probably the most common cause of swelling, pain and discomfort of the elbow is what is commonly referred to as tennis elbow. It gets its name because the motion used by tennis players often causes the problem, but many types of motions besides tennis can lead to swelling as well. The more formal name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. Typically, this type of elbow swelling and pain is caused by overuse of the elbow joint. This is thought to damage the tendons that connect the muscles to the bone. Overuse can also lead to another common form of elbow problems; this one gets its name from the motion of the golf swing. Golfer’s elbow, sometimes called medial epicondylitis, is very similar to tennis elbow, but it affects a different portion of the elbow. In both cases repetitive injuries to the tendons near the elbow causes swelling and pain.
A swelling of the elbow that occurs directly on the boney nub may be a condition known as elbow bursitis. Also known as olecranon bursitis, this condition causes fluid to develop in the tissue that allows the elbow to bend and move. This tissue, the olecranon bursa, can become irritated by certain movements much in the same way that causes tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. It can also occur due to sudden injuries.
Traumatic injuries to the exposed and boney elbow are common. The most common elbow injury occurs from falling and landing on the bone. Fractures to the elbow or the bones of the arm will result in swelling and pain. Muscle and tendon injuries due to injury are also common.
Infections can also cause swelling to develop, as white blood cells collect in the infected area as a defense mechanism. Infections that lead to elbow pain and swelling may be more serious than injuries from repetitive movements and may require a doctor’s treatment. Infected elbow bursitis occurs when the bursa tissue become infected. Patients will experience a painful and swollen elbow, but also will see redness around the elbow and may develop a fever.
Determining what is causing your elbow pain is the first step towards fixing the problem. Most of the causes of elbow pain and swelling listed above will require that a doctor perform x-rays to properly determine the cause. If infection is thought to be the cause, blood work may also be performed. The doctor may also perform several range of motion exercises on the elbow and arm. You can help you doctor determine a proper diagnosis by providing information about the injury. Note any activities that you have performed in the previous weeks, as well as any injuries that may have occurred. Tell your doctor if you have difficulties moving the arm, if the symptoms get worse at specific times of the day, pain that occurs while you are at rest or anything else that is unusual about your pain. Treatments for these types of elbow pain and swelling differ depending on the cause. Infections will require removal of the infection using medications before any treatment may be performed on the tissue of the elbow. While treatments are possible, many require several weeks to heal because of the damage to the tendons. Serious cases or traumatic injuries may require surgery.