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Suggest Treatment For Discomfort In The Elbow And Forearms

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Posted on Mon, 20 Feb 2017
Question: Hi, after a session of weight lifting (Bicep workout) I woke in the middle of the night to discomfort in my elbow forearm and wrist. My elbow feels unstable and it cracks every time I fully extend it. When I bend my fingers back it hurts my wrist also I am not able to lift anything, a 2 pound weight feels uncomfortable. I rested for about two weeks. I returned to work and did some light sweeping after I finished the sweeping I had radiating pain on the outside of my elbow down to my wrist. I saw a dr a few days ago and they were not sure what it was. They took x rays of my wrist and elbow and both came back negative for broken bones. I tired light strengthening exercises about a week ago and it just made my condition worst. The dr did some test for tennis elbow like apply pressure to the boney part of the elbow, and other parts of my arm. I did not feel any pain when she did this. Does this sound like tennis elbow? Thank you for your time.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Seems to be a neuropathy

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.

I have gone through your question in detail.

From the symptoms that you have stated,it does not seem to be a tennis elbow (You have already been confirmed of not having a tennis elbow by your doctor)

Radiating pain in elbow and wrist can be due to a neuroradiculopathy caused due to a nerve compression in the cervical vertebra (sliped disc) , or in the cubital fossa at the elbow (Cubital tunnel syndrome) due to lifting of heavy weight.

Another possibility is a muscular strain in the forearm muscles caused due to over stretching of the muscles during the workout.

A MRI of the cervical vertebra would confirm any nerve compression in the neck.
Nerve conduction studies and electromyography of the upper limb will be helpful to assess nerve compression at any other site.

Anti inflammatory tablets,analgesics with muscle relaxants and methycobalamin/pregabalin tablets will help.

Apply local compression bandage over the painful area.

Do not lift heavy weight.

I hope the answer was useful.
     
Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Get back to me once the reports are ready.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (6 days later)
Hi, I was recently diagnosed with tennis elbow. I was just curious if I should request an MRI. Will an MRI of the elbow able to confirm the tennis elbow Diagnosis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
MRI will help

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Yes indeed.
An MRI of the elbow will surely confirm / rule out a tennis elbow.

Do let me know the MRI report once it is done.

Thank you.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Mahaveer Patil

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 1209 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Discomfort In The Elbow And Forearms

Brief Answer: Seems to be a neuropathy Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for posting the question. I have gone through your question in detail. From the symptoms that you have stated,it does not seem to be a tennis elbow (You have already been confirmed of not having a tennis elbow by your doctor) Radiating pain in elbow and wrist can be due to a neuroradiculopathy caused due to a nerve compression in the cervical vertebra (sliped disc) , or in the cubital fossa at the elbow (Cubital tunnel syndrome) due to lifting of heavy weight. Another possibility is a muscular strain in the forearm muscles caused due to over stretching of the muscles during the workout. A MRI of the cervical vertebra would confirm any nerve compression in the neck. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography of the upper limb will be helpful to assess nerve compression at any other site. Anti inflammatory tablets,analgesics with muscle relaxants and methycobalamin/pregabalin tablets will help. Apply local compression bandage over the painful area. Do not lift heavy weight. I hope the answer was useful. Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have. Get back to me once the reports are ready. Thank you. Kind regards.