Since the elbow is an area that is used a lot, the health of this area plays an important role in the physical activities of the person. Any problem that may be experienced can negatively affect the person's life. Especially people who engage in physical activities and physical sports are more likely to have problems in this area. Pain in the elbow is usually felt directly with movements and causes a restriction in the joint. People who experience elbow pain can be treated by applying to the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation department, and in serious cases, to the Orthopedics and Traumatology department.
Pain around the elbow accounts for most of the complaints at the elbow. The causes of this pain include overuse of the area and damage and injury during physical activities. It occurs more in people who are interested in golf, tennis and boxing. In addition; The muscles in the arm, elbow ligaments, tendons, bones in the region can be effective in the formation of elbow pain.
Why Does Elbow Pain Occur?
It may be related to the sports branches and the work done with excessive use or strain of the region. The factors that can be shown among the causes of elbow pain are as follows:
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): The most common of these pains is tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is characterized by pain in the protrusion on the outside of the elbow. Pain may occur when pressure is applied or weight is lifted. This is the name given to the disease that occurs in this area. It occurs when inflammation occurs at the connection point in the area. It can be seen more in people who work in jobs such as mechanics, cooks, cleaners, where physical strength and arms work more. This problem is given this name because it occurs more in people who are involved in tennis sports.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow): It occurs with pain in the muscles adhering to the bone protrusion on the inside of the elbow. It is mostly seen in people who are involved in sports such as baseball and golf. Golfers move their arms inward quickly and in a circular motion in accordance with their sport. It can be seen as a result of too much repetition of these movements.
Olecranon Bursitis It is characterized by swelling, pain, redness and discharge in the elbow area. Today, this problem is mostly seen in students and people who use computers a lot. The elbow resting too much on the table causes damage to the tissues and pain in the elbow area where the subcutaneous tissue is less. It also occurs when inflammation occurs in the sacs called bursae in the protection of the joints.
Osteoarthritis (calcification): It can occur in the elbow joint due to different reasons. It usually occurs at an advanced age. With the damage to the flexibility and integrity of the tissues, arthritis causes pain and stiffness during joint movements.
Physical traumas: In case of damage to the tissues in the elbow joint due to physical factors, it causes pain in the elbow. In addition, health problems such as fractures and dislocations cause pain in the region.
How is Elbow Pain Diagnosed?
In case of pain in the elbow, a specialist should examine and perform certain examinations in order to make a diagnosis. As a result of the examinations and imaging, the cause of the pain in the elbow is revealed. The examinations are as follows:
- X-ray radiography
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Liquid biopsy of the Bursa region
How Does Elbow Pain Go Away? What are the Treatment Methods?
Before treatment, the person with the complaint should be examined by a specialist physician. Treatment may vary according to the method to be applied by the doctor after the necessary examinations are performed. The methods that can be applied are as follows:
- Rest (rest)
- Physical therapy methods
- Use of medicines approved by the doctor
- Elbow injections
- Methods such as splints or casts
- Elbow support pads
- Ice therapy applications
Exercises performed with physical therapies accelerate the healing process and prevent the recurrence of elbow pain. With the movements performed, the pain in the region decreases and it becomes easier to perform joint movements. In addition, the muscles in the region are also strengthened.