Causes and Treatment of Elbow Pain

Elbow pain can usually be caused by injury, overuse stress, or arthritis. It can range from mild to severe and can interfere with daily activities.

Main causes of elbow pain:

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

Pain is felt on the outside of the elbow.
It is caused by overuse of the hand or frequent gripping of something hard.
It is usually seen in athletes, carpenters, and those who use the mouse-keyboard a lot.

Golfer elbow (medial epicondylitis)

Elbow arthritis

Nerve compression in the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome)

Fracture or dislocation

Treatment and Remedies for Elbow Pain:

Home Remedies:

Rest - To reduce pressure on the elbow, avoid heavy work.
Use an ice pack - Apply ice 3-4 times a day for 15-20 minutes, this will reduce pain and swelling.
Use an elastic bandage or support - This supports the elbow and reduces pressure.
Do light stretching and exercise - Light stretching as advised by the doctor will be beneficial.
Use pain-relieving ointments or medicines - Ibuprofen or paracetamol can reduce pain.

If you need medical attention:

If the pain is chronic or severe, see an orthopedic doctor.

Injections (steroids) - If the pain is very severe, your doctor may give you steroid injections.

Physiotherapy - You can recover faster with light exercise and therapy.

Surgery (in very complex cases) - If there are problems with the nerves or ligaments, surgery may be necessary.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

If the pain lasts for more than a month.

If the elbow becomes swollen or red.

If you have difficulty moving your hand or it becomes stiff.

If the pain has occurred after an accident and if a fracture is suspected.

In short, rest, ice therapy, light exercise and support should be used to treat elbow pain. If it is chronic, definitely consult a doctor!