WHAT CAUSES ELBOW PAIN WITHOUT INJURY?

Several things can cause pain at the elbow. Arthritis can affect almost any joint.  Osteoarthritis can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Pain: Pain when using the joint, especially after movement. Pain may be worse at night in the later stages of the disease. 
• Stiffness: Joint stiffness, especially after resting or waking up. Stiffness usually gets better and lasts less than 30 minutes. 
• Swelling: Swelling in and around the joint, especially after use or exertion.
• Tenderness: The joint feels tender when light pressure is applied. 
• Grating sensation: A crackling sound when moving the joint. This is called crepitus and can be a sign of cartilage wear. 
• Loss of flexibility: A decrease in the ability to move the joint throughout its full range
• Feeling of instability: The joint feels loose or unstable. 

Symptoms can vary from person to person and depending on the severity of disease. 

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY ELBOW PAIN IS SERIOUS ?

Severe pain with significant swelling or bruising around the joint, inability to move your elbow , a visible deformity in the elbow, a sudden injury with a snapping or cracking sound, numbness or tingling in your hand, or a fever accompanying the pain. In these cases, seek immediate medical attention. Other signs that might warrant consulting with a physician:

• Pain that worsens despite rest and conservative treatment 
• Difficulty holding objects 
• Pain that radiates down your arm into fingers
• Redness , warmth , or discoloration around the elbow 
• Significant decrease in ability to move elbow
• Pain that wakes you up at night ?
• Pain that does not resolve

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TENNIS ELBOW ?

Tennis elbow" is a common term for a painful medical condition called  lateral epicondylitis. The primary cause of tennis elbow is repetitive movement of the forearm, hand, wrist, and elbow, often while tightly gripping an object. The forearm muscles and tendons outside of the elbow joint become inflamed and injured from overuse. Tennis elbow occurs most often in the patient’s dominant arm, but can occur in the non-dominant arm or even both arms.

Although the condition is associated with tennis players, about 95% of diagnosed cases have little or nothing to do with playing tennis. Auto mechanics, baseball players, construction workers, assembly-line workers, and other people who engage in repetitive arm movements are typically susceptible to tennis elbow.

Tennis elbow occurs most often in people 30 to 50 years of age, and men are at a slightly increased risk of developing the condition. But anyone can get tennis elbow if the risk factors are sufficiently present.

Symptoms

The symptoms of tennis elbow develop gradually. In most cases, the pain begins  mild and slowly and worsens over time. Patients seldom report specific injury associated with the start of symptoms.

Common signs and symptoms of tennis elbow include:

•  Pain or burning on the outer part of your elbow at a slowly increasing rate

•  Pain increases with gripping and squeezing objects

•  Pain is worsened by applying force to or torqueing the wrist or elbow, such as when using mechanical tools, lifting objects, opening jars, or even brushing one’s teeth.

• The symptoms are often compounded with forearm activity such as gripping and turning. Grabbing a handle, turning a wrench, or even twisting a doorknob.

•  Weak grip strength is a common result of tennis elbow as well.

Treatment

 So what are the treatment alternatives? Medical professionals typically recommend nonsurgical treatment by a qualified physical therapist with a success rate of up to 95%.

Nonsurgical Treatment

 Non-surgical treatment typically involves several important steps to recovery:

• First, the injured arm requires rest. This means that you will have to stop heavy work activities and participation in sports for several weeks.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS). Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling are recommended.

• Bracing the elbow. Using a brace on the affected area may help relieve the symptoms of tennis elbow by resting the muscles and tendons.

• Physical Therapy
• Steroid injections
• Ice
• Iontophoresis

Surgical Treatment

After 6 to 12 months of non-surgical treatment without success your doctor may decide a more aggressive approach and may recommend surgery.

 WHAT IS GOLFER'S ELBOW ?

“Golfer's Elbow" or medial epicondylitis is an inflammation of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the
inside of the bone at the elbow. Like tennis elbow, the cause of this condition is usually because of a specific
strain, overuse, or a direct injury. The forearm muscles and tendons inside of the elbow. The elbow may
become inflamed and injured from overuse. 

Although the condition is associated with golfers, medial epicondylitis is much more commonly seen in
people who are over using their arm doing something else. People who engage repetitive arm movements are
typically susceptible to golfer’s elbow.

 signs and symptoms of golfer’s elbow include:

• Pain and tenderness on the inner side of the elbow, sometimes along the inner side of the forearm.

• Stiffness. The elbow may feel stiff, and increases with gripping and squeezing objects.

• Weakness. The hands or wrists may feel weak.

• Numbness or tingling. This may radiate into one or more fingers.

• The symptoms are often compounded with forearm activity, such as gripping a handle, turning a wrench, or even twisting a doorknob.

Nonsurgical Treatment

• Rest. First, the injured arm requires proper rest. If activity is resumed too early, symptoms may worsen.

• Ice. Ice packs should be applied to the effected elbow 15 to 20 minutes at a time, three to four times a day for several days

• Brace the elbow. Using a brace on the affected area may help relieve the symptoms of golfer’s elbow by resting the muscles and tendons.

• Anti inflammatory drugs. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen.

• Physical therapy. Stretching and strengthening exercises that lengthen the tendon of the wrist extensor muscles are particularly effective.

• Elbow wrap. Wrapping the elbow with an elastic bandage or use a splint will reduce the load on the tendons.

• Steroid injections, such as cortisone, are very effective anti-inflammatory medicines. Your doctor will have to prescribe and administer these injections if he decides it is medically necessary or other treatments have not been effective in relieving the symptoms.

Occupations that commonly cause elbow pain include: painter, carpenter, plumber, butcher, cook, mechanic, assembly line worker, construction worker, hairdresser, and office worker who frequently uses a computer mouse as they all involve repetitive motions of the wrist and arm, which can lead to conditions like tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis).  

Many sports can cause elbow pain, including: 

• Throwing sports: Baseball, softball, football, javelin, and volleyball can all cause elbow injuries. Repetitive throwing motions can strain the elbow and lead to chronic injuries.
• Racquet sports: Tennis, squash, pickleball, and racquetball can all cause elbow pain.
• Other sports: Golf, bowling, and weight lifting can all cause elbow pain.

Several factors that can cause elbow injuries:

• Repetitive motions
• Improper technique
• Sudden impacts, falls, or collisions
• Inadequate warm-up or conditioning
• Overtraining or excessive intensity

Some common elbow conditions in sports include:

• Ulnar neuritis: Also known as cubital tunnel syndrome, this inflammation of the ulnar nerve can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. 
• Little league elbow: An overuse injury to the growth plate on the inside of the elbow. 
• Olecranon stress fracture: A weakening of the muscles around the elbow that can lead to a stress fracture in the olecranon bone.
• Fractures  A broken bone in the elbow or arm can cause significant pain and sometimes visible deformity. Falling on an outstretched hand or directly on the elbow can cause fractures. 

• Elbow dislocation  When the bones of the upper arm and forearm are no longer in place, the elbow joint is dislocated. 
• Cubital tunnel syndrome  Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, but in the elbow, this condition occurs when the ulnar nerve is compressed in the elbow joint. Symptoms include pain, tingling, and numbness in the ring and little fingers. 
• Arthritis  While more common in other joints, arthritis can also affect the elbow. The most common form is osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear condition, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs more often in the elbow. 

Other common causes of elbow pain include: bursitis, sprains, tendinitis, stress fractures, gout and trapped nerves