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What Causes Nagging Pain In Left Elbow?
Question: Hi, I've had a nagging pain in my left elbow for about 1 month now. It really hurts when I rotate my arm and wrist to look at my watch. I can do bicep curls with little discomfort but rotating the thumb in and towards the ground causes sharp pain inside the elbow. Also when holding the steering wheel of my car and tyrning right, I must let go of my left hand because of the rotation. I workout 4 times per week at a gym. However 4 weeks ago I was out of town and had no access to a gym. All that I had was a 30 kilo kettlebell. The movement that I think has caused the pain is grabbing the kettlebell with both hands and lifting up to my chin. Is this just an overuse injury? How should I treat the symptom and not make it any worse?
Brief Answer:
Golfer's elbow
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing pain with your left arm and elbow. From your description this injury is from overuse and may have been from the cowbell lifting. The common name for your problem is golfer's elbow. It comes from overuse and strain to the ligaments of the inner elbow down to the thumb. A tennis elbow is causes pain on the outside of the elbow but is also caused by over use or tress to the tendon. The best treatment is rest and using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory more commonly known as aspirin or ibuprofen. If the pain does not improve after 2 weeks of rest and NSAIDs then I recommend you seek medical attention to start a physical therapy program. Your trainer may also give you exercises that may reduce the stress to the elbow tendons.
In summary
1. Golfer's elbow or medial epicondylitis
2. rest
3. NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen
4. trainer to help with medial epicondylitis
5. Seek medical attention and physical therapy if no improvement.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns or questions or if you have any other information you need
Golfer's elbow
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health care concerns.
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing pain with your left arm and elbow. From your description this injury is from overuse and may have been from the cowbell lifting. The common name for your problem is golfer's elbow. It comes from overuse and strain to the ligaments of the inner elbow down to the thumb. A tennis elbow is causes pain on the outside of the elbow but is also caused by over use or tress to the tendon. The best treatment is rest and using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory more commonly known as aspirin or ibuprofen. If the pain does not improve after 2 weeks of rest and NSAIDs then I recommend you seek medical attention to start a physical therapy program. Your trainer may also give you exercises that may reduce the stress to the elbow tendons.
In summary
1. Golfer's elbow or medial epicondylitis
2. rest
3. NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen
4. trainer to help with medial epicondylitis
5. Seek medical attention and physical therapy if no improvement.
I hope I answered your question. Please contact HCM again with your health care concerns or questions or if you have any other information you need
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
golfers elbow is more of a forearm pain. My pain is just below the bicep, the same area where they take blood. When i rotate my wrist, it hurts where the bicep would attch, not on the forearm section.
Brief Answer:
Biceps tendonitis
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for returning to HCM.
You clarified that the pain is more in the biceps tendon, This suggests then that you have biceps tendonitis which will be treated exactly the same way as golfer's elbow. The only difference is your physical therapy will focus on your biceps tendon rather the epicondylar tendons.
I still recommend use of the NSAIDs and therapy
Good luck
Biceps tendonitis
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for returning to HCM.
You clarified that the pain is more in the biceps tendon, This suggests then that you have biceps tendonitis which will be treated exactly the same way as golfer's elbow. The only difference is your physical therapy will focus on your biceps tendon rather the epicondylar tendons.
I still recommend use of the NSAIDs and therapy
Good luck
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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