“Around 1-3% of the population which is 4 to 7 per 1,000 people is affected with elbow pain. Most people are affected between 35 and 54 years of age. Based on a report, about 500 million people in India have osteoarthritis causing elbow pain. Chances of elbow injuries are increasing in India as well. People between the ages of 21 and 25 are affected by elbow injuries. Another statistic denotes the tennis elbow is a common cause of elbow pain. A systematic approach to assessing along with treatment can help decrease pain getting worse.” – The BMJ, AAFP, National Library of Medicine
Elbows are bony structures involved with radius, humerus, and muscles. These work as the functional unit. Determining the exact underlying etiology of elbow pain can be difficult. The elbow pain can be seen in the anatomic regions such as the lateral, posterior, anterior, or medial. Lateral epicondylitis pain can occur due to occupational activities.
Specific movements can accentuate the pain in the elbow due to the affected injury. Bones in the elbows are strong enough to withstand minor injury. Many athletes can face ligament injuries due to regular participation in sports.
For example, overhead throwing can cause elbow pain. The biceps are also a common source of pain in the anterior elbow. The elbow pain doctor states that repeated elbow flexion in the forearm can cause pain.
Elbow pain can also lead to swelling so these needs to be treated immediately. Repeated pressure on the elbow joint, including overload on tissue, leads to pain in the elbow. Full recovery from the elbow pain can be based on the severity of the injury.
Symptoms of elbow pain vary with the severity of the injury. Common symptoms of elbow pain are:
Pain in the elbow
Swelling
Stiffness
Weakness
Visible deformity
Elbow pain is caused due to Injury and many other reasons. Many sports activities require repetitive hand functions. Repetitive arm movements without a proper warm-up can lead to elbow pain.
The doctor lists the symptoms to start the diagnosis of elbow pain. Some of the diagnosis methods for elbow pain are:
Mostly, elbow pains are caused due to very normal reasons and can go away in a few days. However, you can find relief from the pain through certain treatments. Firstly, give some rest to your elbows and avoid any activity that requires you to extend or flex your elbow.
Another way is to apply a cold pack or ice on the area that hurts the most. Do it for at least fifteen minutes and three to four times a day. Ice can also offer instant relief as it numbs the affected area. Similarly, instead of ice, you can use a heating pad to encourage healing.
If the pain is unbearable, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers or go to a physiotherapist, as they can prescribe some physical therapy for effective treatment. You can also try stretching the muscles in the elbow very gently or wear braces to keep those muscles still while they heal.
However, if the pain isn’t getting away through all of the above treatments, you can consult a doctor and get a Regenerative ortho biologics injection to relieve pain and swelling.
The average time taken for elbow pain recovery may vary based on the type of injury and the treatment you receive. Some types of elbow pain may recover faster, but some need a rehab procedure.
In the case of an elbow sprain, it may take 4 to 6 weeks to recover. You are advised to wear a sling, splint, or cast for certain weeks. Taking short-term medication and physical therapy might help patients effectively recover faster. It will help you to regain physical activity better.
If it is a fracture, recovery time may depend on the injury type. You have to wear a splint for up to 8 -12 weeks. Your doctor may recommend some physical therapies to heal faster. Within four months, many people successfully carrying normal activities. However, complete healing may take time, so be patient till that.
For a dislocated elbow, the recovery time may depend on the type of dislocation. You just need physical therapy to recover soon. Always keep your elbow immobilized for a week or two weeks to completely heal. Physical therapy is much needed to regain motion and movement.
Doing repetitive motion may create tiny tears in the tendon. So, elbow pain treatment includes physical therapy, acupuncture, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and more. Your doctor will give you the required time to heal this condition completely.
Here are some protective tips to follow without delay.
Prevention is better than cure; we all know about it. Preventing elbow pain is a must. Do you want to know how it is possible to overcome elbow pain? Exactly, prevention tips will help you to stay away from the painful moments. Follow these prevention tips carefully to avoid elbow pain.
You should see a doctor for elbow pain if you experience sudden injury, severe pain, limited mobility, numbness or tingling, pain for a long time, and bone protrusion. Consulting a doctor is a must if you experience severe pain in your elbow. You may sometimes get answers for elbow pain from a doctor and get proper treatment.
Experiencing elbow pain is common in all ages. Elbow pain is caused due to heavy lifting, or repeated motions in the elbow. It creates troublesome moments and interferes with day-to-day activities. So, you must get the treatment and rehab therapy to overcome the elbow pain with Axis Clinics.
You can experience severe pain even after getting care at home. Visit the doctor immediately and get a solution.
Mostly, elbow pains last for a few days. Usually, pain is relieved within a short time. Consult a doctor if the pain lasts more than 5 days.
Severity in pain and less movement or motions may happen if you ignore it for a long time. So, consult the doctor and get their support immediately.
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