Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Stabbing Pain In Elbow. X-ray Normal. What Is Causing This And Treatment Required?
Question: stabbing pain in elbow as described by many at this site. cause? treatment? has been accurately described by many as feeling like a piece of glass that may move around in the outer part of the elbow. can cause really, really bad stabbing, searing pain for about 30 seconds. may even hurt when a shirt sleeve brushes the area. has been going on for several months. had x-rays of both elbows which turned out normal. no breaks or other abnormalities evident. this condition has worsened and most distressing.
please offer information and guidance. thank you.
please offer information and guidance. thank you.
Hi,
Pain in the elbow can be traumatic, inflammatory or mechanical. Normal X rays are a good sign already. It would be worth doing some blood tests in order to detect markers of inflammation to exclude some autoimmune or rheumatologic disorders.
It would be interesting knowing whether the pain comes when a particular movement is done or not, whether anything has been noticed that either increases the intensity or alleviates the symptoms. If the pain intensifies with a particular posture or position, a nerve compression could be suspected. Probably you have taken certain drugs, it would be worthwhile reporting any of the drugs maybe that have some time brought relief or worsened the pain after taking them to your treating physician.
The pain as you describe is a momentary or periodic pain. It’s worth knowing the particular periods or circumstances under which you find the pain more intense or which trigger the pain. If none have been identified, I could be interesting have first, a consultation with a rheumotalogist. This shall be important in ruling out any rheumatologic disease since the bony architecture is apparently normal, and evaluating the distribution of muscles in this arm, to excluding any atrophy or dystrophy that could point to a nerve compression or anomaly.
I propose you visit you visit a rheumatologist for this keener exams and other blood tests.
I shall be honored responding to any other queries or contributing to you to get better health status whenever you deem necessary.
Wish you the best of health and best regards,,
Luchuo, MD.
Pain in the elbow can be traumatic, inflammatory or mechanical. Normal X rays are a good sign already. It would be worth doing some blood tests in order to detect markers of inflammation to exclude some autoimmune or rheumatologic disorders.
It would be interesting knowing whether the pain comes when a particular movement is done or not, whether anything has been noticed that either increases the intensity or alleviates the symptoms. If the pain intensifies with a particular posture or position, a nerve compression could be suspected. Probably you have taken certain drugs, it would be worthwhile reporting any of the drugs maybe that have some time brought relief or worsened the pain after taking them to your treating physician.
The pain as you describe is a momentary or periodic pain. It’s worth knowing the particular periods or circumstances under which you find the pain more intense or which trigger the pain. If none have been identified, I could be interesting have first, a consultation with a rheumotalogist. This shall be important in ruling out any rheumatologic disease since the bony architecture is apparently normal, and evaluating the distribution of muscles in this arm, to excluding any atrophy or dystrophy that could point to a nerve compression or anomaly.
I propose you visit you visit a rheumatologist for this keener exams and other blood tests.
I shall be honored responding to any other queries or contributing to you to get better health status whenever you deem necessary.
Wish you the best of health and best regards,,
Luchuo, MD.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
