What is elbow pain?
Elbow pain refers to any discomfort, swelling, or stiffness that affects your elbow. Your elbows are small but mighty joints. They contain various soft and hard tissues, including tendons, bones, muscles, and ligaments.
If you work a physically demanding job that requires performing repetitive arm motions, or you play sports like golf, baseball, or tennis, you’re also more likely to experience elbow pain. Fortunately, with early intervention and care, it’s possible to treat elbow pain and prevent it from getting worse.
What are some common causes of elbow pain?
Elbow pain occurs for various reasons. The team at Nova Interventional Pain Management regularly treats elbow pain caused by:
- Fractures
- Joint inflammation (bursitis)
- Dislocated joints
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sprains
- Throwing injuries
- Trapped nerves
- Osteoarthritis
The team also treats elbow pain caused by sports-related overuse injuries, including tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.
Is there any way to lower my risk of elbow pain?
Elbow pain affects all types of people, but there are steps you can take to significantly lower your risk. The team at Nova Interventional Pain Management recommends strengthening your forearms, warming up before exercise, and practicing proper form.
If you skateboard, rollerskate, or mountain bike, it’s important to take the necessary safety precautions. Wearing elbow pads is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your joints in the event of an accident or fall.
How is elbow pain diagnosed?
The team at Nova Interventional Pain Management diagnoses elbow pain by reviewing your medical history, asking about your lifestyle and symptoms, and conducting a physical exam.
They have you rate your elbow pain on a scale and test its range of motion with a series of easy exercises. Your provider gently presses on your elbow, feeling for areas of tenderness or warmth. They might also ask you to lift your arm over your head or move your elbow from side to side.
If the team suspects your elbow pain is due to a fracture or dislocation, they will order X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan. These diagnostic imaging techniques provide high-quality pictures of the hard and soft tissues that comprise your elbow joint.
How is elbow pain treated?
The team at Nova Interventional Pain Management treats elbow pain using conservative, minimally invasive measures.
If you’re experiencing mild elbow pain, they might recommend rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication. If these treatments don’t provide relief, you might benefit from corticosteroid injections. Corticosteroids relieve swelling and inflammation, limit pain, and improve your elbow’s range of motion.
To receive treatment for elbow pain, schedule an appointment at Nova Interventional Pain Management. Call the nearest office to speak with a friendly member of the administrative staff today.
