Elbow PainThe elbow is a hinge joint made up of 3 bones – humerus, radius and ulna. The bones are held together by ligaments to provide stability to the joint. Muscles and tendons move the bones around each other and help in performing various activities. Many types of elbow pain stem from overuse injuries, such as golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow. Other common causes of elbow pain include:
Elbow dislocation occurs when the bones that make up the joint are forced out of alignment. Elbow dislocations usually occur when a person falls onto an outstretched hand. Elbow dislocations can also occur from any traumatic injury, such as a motor vehicle accident.
When the elbow is dislocated, you may have severe pain, swelling, and a lack of ability to bend your arm. Sometimes you cannot feel your hand, or you may have no pulse in your wrist, because the arteries and nerves that run along your elbow may be injured.
Limited range of motion and stiffness following injury or surgery may indicate elbow contracture, a condition that requires specialized evaluation and treatment.
A fracture is a common injury to the elbow. Elbow fractures may result from a fall onto an outstretched wrist, a direct impact to the elbow or a twisting injury. Elbow fractures may cause severe pain, swelling, tenderness and painful movements.
If a fracture is suspected, immediate intervention by your doctor is necessary. Surgery is often required if a bony displacement is observed.
Any problem causing pain, swelling, discoloration, numbness or a tingling sensation, or abnormal position of the hand, wrist, or elbow that persists for more than two or three days should be evaluated by your doctor to establish the cause and obtain the best treatment as early as possible.
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