Elbow pain can be minor or severe, depending on the cause. There are different causes of elbow pain East Brunswick, including fractures, strains, and certain health conditions like osteoarthritis. Repetitive motions like wrist flexing and finger clenching can affect your tendons, causing pain.

Causes

You can experience elbow pain because of certain health conditions like arthritis or after straining your ligaments or tendons in your elbow. The following are common causes of elbow pain.

Tennis elbow

Also called lateral epicondylitis occurs when you overuse the tendons in your outer elbow. You are at a higher risk of the condition if you are a tennis player or lift heavy objects.

Golfer’s elbow

A golfer’s elbow is similar to a Tennis elbow, but the difference is the location of the pain. In Golfer’s elbow, the pain occurs inside your upper arm and is common in golfers and people who flex their wrists. 

Symptoms

The following are common symptoms associated with elbow pain:

• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Restricted movement

Treatment options

Your specialist will offer you treatment depending on the severity of your pain and other symptoms. The first line of treatment can be rest to allow your tissues to heal. However, if your elbow pain does not improve with rest, your doctor will recommend other conservative treatments.

The following are common elbow pain treatments:

Medications

Your doctor can prescribe pain-relieving medications to alleviate pain. If over-the-counter painkillers don’t work, you might need steroid injections. Your specialist will inject the medicine into specific parts of your elbow, and the treatment lasts for several months.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy exercises can help you strengthen and stretch your tissues. Your physical therapist can massage your elbow to increase blood circulation and promote healing.

Surgery

You might require surgery if your elbow pain does not respond to conservative treatments. Afterward, you might need physical therapy and medication to help you recover and strengthen your elbow.

Preventive measures for elbow pain

Use the following tips to help you minimize the risk of elbow pain:

• Rest. When you experience elbow pain, you should try to rest to avoid worsening or complicating your symptoms. A good rest can help your damaged tissues to repair themselves.
• Strengthen your muscles. Regular physical activity can help you strengthen your muscles and prevent injuries. When exercising, ensure proper form and wear protective gear if you play contact sports. If you work with computers, invest in a good workstation supporting your elbows and posture.
• Seek physical therapy. See a physical therapist early if you experience occasional minor to moderate elbow pain. However, if you have severe elbow pain, seek immediate medical attention.
• Use your non-dominant hand. While you might mostly use your dominant hand to do a lot of activities, it is important to switch up things and use your non-dominant hand. By doing so, you let your dominant hand rest and recover from a lot of daily activities.

If you have elbow pain accompanied by stiffness or restricted movement, visit Mid Atlantic Orthopedics Associates, LLP, for treatment. The pain specialists will offer you individualized treatment after a careful evaluation and accurate diagnosis. Call or schedule your appointment online today.