Elbow pain

Pain in the elbow can be based on various causes and differ in severity. Elbow pain should be examined by a doctor if they last longer than three days.

What is Elbow Pain?

Pain in the elbow is often caused by heavy or incorrect load, both from everyday movements and from sports.

Pain in the elbow is often caused by heavy or incorrect load, both from everyday movements and from sports. Elbow pain can also occur after a longer period of immobilization (e.g. with a plaster cast). Depending on the cause, pain can be stabbing, pulling or pressing.

The elbow is a joint made up of three partial joints that have a common joint capsule. The upper arm bone (humerus) and the forearm bone ulna (ulna) and radius (radius) are each connected to one another via a partial joint. The forearm can be bent, stretched and turned using the elbow joint. In addition to the bones, the joint area also includes cartilage, synovial fluid, ligaments and tendons.

If the joint is inflamed, the elbow will warm up. In addition, the mobility of the joint is often restricted when there is pain in the elbow.

causes

A wide variety of stresses can cause pain in the elbow. Incorrect or excessive loads can be the cause, as can previous immobilization or injuries.

The inflammatory causes of elbow pain include arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis caused by a malfunction of the immune system, inflammation of the joint bursa and tendinitis. The so-called tennis elbow and the golfer's elbow can be traced back to inflammatory or wear-related (degenerative) changes in the elbow, but despite their name, they are mostly based on stress during work. Joint wear and tear, which can also lead to joint pain, is known as osteoarthritis.

The irritation of the elbow nerve (for example due to a knock of the so-called musician's bone against an edge), a dislocation (dislocation of the joint), injuries to tendons, ligaments or the joint itself, bone fractures and muscle injuries or muscle tension can all cause pain in the elbow.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for joint pain

Diseases with this symptom

• Inflammation of the joints (arthritis)
• Tendinitis
• arthrosis

• rheumatism
• Tennis elbow
• Bone inflammation

• Inflammation of the bursitis (bursitis)
• Broken bone
• Torn hamstring

Diagnosis & course

Because elbow pain can be due to a wide variety of causes, a careful diagnosis is important in order to be able to take appropriate pain relief measures.

In many cases, the pain will go away on its own without the need for further action. These include the complaints that occur after a knock on the musician's bone or after a temporary heavy load on the elbow. However, if the pain in the elbow persists, swelling (suggesting inflammation) or warming of the joint can be seen, a doctor should be consulted.

In order to narrow down the cause of the disease, the medical history, including any previous illnesses, is first clarified. In addition to the precise localization of the pain, the previous period of pain and any overstressing of the joint that may have occurred are important. If osteoarthritis has already been diagnosed or if the pain was preceded by an accident, the elbow must first be thoroughly examined for any swelling and its mobility.

If there is suspected bone damage, an X-ray examination is carried out. A sonography (ultrasound examination), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or an arthroscopy is also possible. A blood test will reveal a possible focus of inflammation. In the case of joint effusions, if there is pain in the elbow, a joint puncture may be useful.

Complications

Elbow pain, regardless of its origin, can lead to more or less serious complications. Early treatment (after three days at the latest) is therefore advisable.

Swelling, which can also indicate an inflammation in the joint, is just as much a complication as (severe) warming of the elbow joint and must be treated immediately. Signs of wear and tear do not always correlate with the symptoms and are therefore often only recognized very late, which can lead to an increase in pain. A stiff elbow is one of the serious complications of a therapy that has not been initiated or initiated too late.

If the diagnosis of epicondylitis humeri radialis (tennis elbow) has been made, surgery is necessary after unsuccessful conservative therapy. This can result in an injury to the ring ligament that is placed around the head of the spoke, with painful restrictions on movement. Pain and abnormal sensations as well as excessive scarring cannot be ruled out postoperatively. Thanks to modern surgical methods such as minimally invasive techniques, infections, secondary bleeding and damage to nerves and blood vessels have become very rare. But they cannot be ruled out.

There is also the risk that a seroma ("encapsulation of wound secretion as a local, elastic swelling in the surgical area") will form. Untreated osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can lead to the need for an elbow prosthesis later on. This also applies to bone fractures and bone inflammation, if the cartilage layer is damaged.

When should you go to the doctor?

Elbow pain is not necessarily a reason to see a doctor right away. Often there is a banal reason for them and they quickly pass. A typical trigger for elbow pain is bumping into what is known as a musician's bone. Another cause of pain is an overload of the elbow. However, if the elbow joint swells and is overheated, a doctor's visit is recommended. It is also advisable to see a doctor if elbow pain persists for more than three days.

As the connection point between the upper arm and forearm, the elbow joint is generally exposed to particular stress. Elbow pain manifests itself primarily as pulling, stabbing, or pressure. In addition to overuse of the joint, elbow pain can have other causes, including tendinitis, tennis elbow, inflamed bursa, and joint wear. Tense or injured muscles also cause pain in the elbow. Also worth mentioning is the possibility of arthritis or rheumatism as a cause of elbow pain.

At the beginning of treatment for elbow pain, the doctor asks his patient specific questions about symptoms, habits and previous illnesses. This is followed by movement controls and further examinations, which are based on the knowledge gained. Sonography, magnetic resonance imaging and X-rays can also be included, as can blood tests, joint reflections or a joint puncture in the event of fluid accumulation. If you have pronounced elbow pain, a visit to the doctor can prevent permanent damage to the elbow.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

The therapeutic measures result from the established causes of the pain in the elbow. Pain due to temporary excessive or improper stress usually goes away without special therapy. If, on the other hand, immobilization of the elbow joint is indicated, a plaster splint or an ointment bandage may be required.

Pain treatment can be done with anti-inflammatory pain relievers (mostly in ointment or tablet form). Joint irrigation or joint injections with the administration of medication containing cortisone and local anesthesia can also help relieve joint pain.

If there is chronic elbow pain or if the patient is in hospital anyway, anesthetic and pain medication can be brought directly to the arm nerves via a catheter placed near the armpit ("brachial plexus block").

If milder (conservative) agents are not enough to relieve pain, surgery may be considered. Many causes of pain can be eliminated by means of an arthroscopy (joint reflection) of the elbow joint. In the case of pain caused by osteoarthritis, a so-called osteotomy, in which bones are cut or parts of bone removed, may help.

Physiotherapeutic treatment can also be considered. Cold or heat treatment, muscle strengthening and stretching training and the practice of sports that do not place stress on the joints complete the therapeutic options for pain in the elbow.

Outlook & forecast

The elbow joint is heavily stressed in everyday life, which is why overload pain is common. The first therapy for overuse pain is immobilization. Patients should take care of the arm as much as possible, neither lift heavily nor do one-sided activities.

A typical illness is the "tennis elbow". It forms during excessive tennis and table tennis play, but also during manual activities such as the powerful screwing in of screws. All of this must now be avoided.

Tension in the neck muscles or problems with the cervical spine often cause elbow pain. Both lead to poor posture with radiating pain in the arm, some of which reach the fingertips. The underlying disease must be treated here. Tense muscles must be loosened. Infrared radiation, warm wraps and massages, for example, help.

If the pain arose after a fall, an X-ray should ensure that there is no injury to the bone. A bruise can also cause severe discomfort and takes a long time to heal.

Painful wear and tear of the tendons often develop in advanced age and present with similar symptoms. The wear and tear cannot be stopped, but it can be positively influenced by gentle exercise and a healthy diet. Cool compresses and anti-inflammatory ointments can relieve inflammatory symptoms. Immobilization is also important here. If necessary, the arm must be carried in a sling.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for joint pain

prevention

Prophylaxis is not possible against all causes of pain in the elbow. However, z. B. Sports can be selected that bring the least possible strain on the elbow joint. Unilateral loads such as the elbow joint should be avoided.

Elbow guards can reduce the risk of joint injuries in hazardous jobs or sports. Treating conspicuous symptoms such as swelling or warming as early as possible can counteract the expansion of any inflammation in the joint and the development of possible complications from pain in the elbow.

You can do that yourself

Elbow pain can be relieved with the help of various measures. The pain can be cooled with an ice pack and thus alleviated. A piece of cloth should be placed between the skin and the ice pack. The cooling time should be around 20 to 30 minutes. At least an hour should pass between applications.

Pouches with curd cheese or white cabbage can also relieve pain. The bandages can be left on the arm overnight, but should be changed during the day as soon as they have become warm. Homeopathic remedies such as arnica or Bryonia D4 or D6 can also relieve elbow pain.

People with elbow pain should avoid movements that trigger or increase pain. Stretching exercises can be useful. The elbow should be stretched and the forearm should be gently turned inwards. Then the aching hand is slowly pushed to the side so that the fingers point outwards. This position should be held for about 15 seconds. It makes sense to do the exercise several times a day.

An elastic bandage around the wrist and forearm - a so-called epicondylitis brace - relieves the muscles and tendons. It is available in pharmacies, medical supply stores and sports stores. An ergonomically correct posture at the workplace is also recommended. These include a comfortable and upright sitting position and the adjustment of the monitor at eye level.