ELBOW PAIN CONDITIONS
1. Tendinitis - Inflammation of the tendons causing pain at the elbow
- A. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Non-surgical treatment includes: ice, rest, medications, bracing and cortisone injection.
- Surgery can be an option in severe cases or if there is failure of conservative treatments.
- B. Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
- Non-surgical treatment includes: ice, rest, medications, bracing and cortisone injection.
- Surgery can be an option if conservative measures fail and the pain persists.
2. Olecranon Bursitis - Inflammation of the bursa at the tip of the elbow
- Can result from injury, minor trauma, infection or systemic diseases such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Fracture - Can occur into the joint or adjacent to the joint.
- Generally requires immobilization and casting.
- Can require orthopedic pinning or open joint surgery
4. Sprain - Is a stretch or tear injury to a ligament.
- Can occur when elbow is hyperextended or jammed.
- Severity depends on the injury.
- Treatment involves rest, ice, immobilization, compression and medications.
5. Arthritis
- Is inflammation of the elbow joint
- Several types are noted: rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, anklylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis (fka Reiter’s disease).
6. Cellulitis
- Inflammation of the skin related to infection.
- Staphylococcus and Streptococcus commonly cause.
- Generally treated with antibiotics, orally or intravenously.
7. Infection of elbow joint (Septic Arthritis)
- Is uncommon.
- Mostly seen with patients that are immunosuppressed or diabetics or those taking cortisone medications or intravenous drug users.
- Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are most common causes.
- Treatment generally requires antibiotic treatment and surgical drainage.
8. Tumors
- Are rare at the elbow joint.
- Can be painful or painless.
- X-ray usually detects
- Nuclear medicine bone scanning may be also performed to help with detection.
9. Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
- The “funny bone”, located between the tip of the elbow and inner elbow bone.
- Can be pinched by normal structures or swollen structures after injury, this is called entrapment.
- Numbness and tingling of the ring and little finger may be felt along with pain in the forearm.
- Treatment is to avoid repeated trauma or pressure to the elbow and rest. Ice can be helpful
- Surgery can be an option to reposition the ulnar nerve to where it will not be pinched by the surrounding structures.
