Elbow Pain – Causes and Treatments
There are many common causes of elbow pain that can occur on the outside, inside or back of your elbow. Whether your pain is from an injury or due to a repetitive task it can keep you from enjoying your active lifestyle. Physical therapy can help you gain back your flexibility and reduce the pain.
What Causes Pain in Your Elbow?
The most common injury that causes pain on the outside of the elbow is Tennis Elbow or Tendonitis. It is a painful inflammation of the elbow joint caused by repetitive stress or overuse. The pain is on the outside of the elbow but may radiate down the back of your forearm.
Less common but also painful, Radial Tunnel Syndrome has similar symptoms to Tennis elbow, with pain on the outside of the elbow. However, you may also have pins and needles or tingling in the hand and outer forearm. Your wrist may ache, or pain may radiate into the upper arm.
Golfer’s elbow, also known as throwers elbow, is probably the most cause of pain on the inside of the elbow. Symptoms are similar to those of tennis elbow but on the inside. It usually develops gradually through overuse but can also be an acute injury, especially with throwing sports.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the joint linings. As the joint lining swells, the joint space narrows. The disease can gradually destroy the bones and soft tissues. Usually, RA affects both elbows, as well as other joints such as the hand, wrist, and shoulder.
Osteoarthritis arthritis in this the most common form of arthritis in the elbow joint. Osteoarthritis affects the cushioning cartilage on the ends of the bones that allows them to move smoothly in the joint. As the cartilage is destroyed, the bones begin to rub against each other. Loose fragments in the joint may hasten degeneration.
Physical Therapy for Elbow Pain
Our licensed physical therapist will do a complete evaluation to determine the most effective treatment plan for you. The customized treatment plan may include:
- Manual Physical Therapy
- Hot and cold therapy
- IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization)
- Water therapy
- Kinesio taping
- Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Personalized exercise programs
- Education about suitable activities
Beyond pain relief, manual physical therapy performed by a licensed physical therapist for elbow pain can create positive results, including but not limited to:
- Improved functionality
- Better range of motion
- Reduced inflammation
- Increase in flexibility and mobility
- Improvement of tissue extensibility and stability
With physical therapy, patients can expect the recovery to take between weeks and months depending on the severity of the case.
If you are suffering from elbow pain, Fyzical in Littleton, CO can help. Our highly educated physical therapists are dedicated to treating each patient as a whole with an emphasis on physical and overall wellness. Call today to make an appointment at 303-409-2133.