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What Causes Severe Elbow Pain?
Question: I am experiencing elbow pain when I lean on my elbow. This happens even when I'm leaning against a soft surface - such as a mattress or a pillow. Sometimes I have the pain when my elbow rubs against the sleeve of my shirt. The pain is very sharp - as though I'm pressing against a nerve. There is no swelling or redness around the elbow. I have no tingling or numb sensations in my arm or hand. I have not injured my elbow. Any suggestions as to the cause? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Can be tennis elbow.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in the back of elbow is likely to be related to ulnar nerve compression or inflammation. Most commonly it is caused by a tennis elbow or cubital tunnel syndrome.
You can help the improvement by-
1. Give adequate rest to the arm. Avoid activities that require you to keep your arm bent for long periods of time.
If you use a computer frequently, make sure that your chair is not too low. Do not rest your elbow on the armrest.
Avoid leaning on your elbow or putting pressure on the inside of your arm. For example, do not drive with your arm resting on the open window.
Keep your elbow straight at night when you are sleeping. This can be done by wrapping a towel around your straight elbow or wearing an elbow pad backwards.
2. Apply heat therapy.
3. Get some anti-inflammatory medication prescribed from your orthopedician.
4. Immobilize the arm for a short period.
5. Soft tissue therapy can be used to break down adhesions that may be restricting the nerve.
6. Neural stretching exercises are helpful under the care of a physiotherapist.
Surgery might be needed in severe cases with persistent symptoms.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Can be tennis elbow.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in the back of elbow is likely to be related to ulnar nerve compression or inflammation. Most commonly it is caused by a tennis elbow or cubital tunnel syndrome.
You can help the improvement by-
1. Give adequate rest to the arm. Avoid activities that require you to keep your arm bent for long periods of time.
If you use a computer frequently, make sure that your chair is not too low. Do not rest your elbow on the armrest.
Avoid leaning on your elbow or putting pressure on the inside of your arm. For example, do not drive with your arm resting on the open window.
Keep your elbow straight at night when you are sleeping. This can be done by wrapping a towel around your straight elbow or wearing an elbow pad backwards.
2. Apply heat therapy.
3. Get some anti-inflammatory medication prescribed from your orthopedician.
4. Immobilize the arm for a short period.
5. Soft tissue therapy can be used to break down adhesions that may be restricting the nerve.
6. Neural stretching exercises are helpful under the care of a physiotherapist.
Surgery might be needed in severe cases with persistent symptoms.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
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
Answered by
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