Elbow Pain – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options Summary - Elbow pain can be the result of overuse, dislocations, injury, or medical conditions like tendinitis or arthritis.
The elbow is a complex joint that allows you to extend and flex as well as rotate the hand and forearm. Elbow pain is a common condition and comes from structures within the elbow joint/or from structures adjacent to the elbow joint. The pain may be the result of a multitude of conditions such as injury to the elbow muscle, damaged ligaments, overuse or strain, infection, and certain medical conditions. Elbow injury and pain are common in tennis, baseball, golf, and boxing. Pain management centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer a variety of treatment options for elbow injuries. Common Symptoms The common signs and symptoms of elbow pain include – Wrist weakness Severe pain and burning sensation that occur outside the elbow Chronic pain when lifting or bending the arm Difficulty in extending the forearm fully Pain and stiffness in the joints Pain when gripping, lifting and carrying
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Risk factors for elbow pain range from repetitive, strenuous movements (as in baseball/tennis and gym exercises such as push-ups and weightlifting), auto accidents, infections and inflammatory or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis and Treatment Mild joint pain may resolve on its own. However, symptoms such as severe pain and swelling, and difficulty with the normal movement of the elbow, require medical attention. In addition to physical examination and medical history to diagnose the cause of the pain, physicians may order imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI scan or bone scan to identify abnormal bone formation or check for soft-tissue injuries. Treatment may include basic to the complex modalities, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Leading pain management centers in Brooklyn offers various nonsurgical treatment options to address pain and improve the other symptoms associated with the condition:
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Ice and heat application – Applying ice packs reduces inflammation and heat application loosens tissues thereby stimulating blood flow to the area. The basic procedure involves keeping an ice pack (thrice a day) for about 15 minutes on the effected elbow. The arm has to be kept in an elevated position.
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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) - TENS uses low-voltage electric stimulation that interacts with the sensory nervous system to reduce pain.
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Physical therapy – Physical therapy exercises such as gentle stretching, strengthening, stabilization and aerobic exercises that help reduce the intensity of elbow pain and prevent reinjury.
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) may be prescribed for pain. Patients should use these medications only as directed by their pain management doctor, as overuse can lead to serious complications.
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Game Ready Cold Therapy and Compression – The Game Ready Upper Extremity Elbow Wrap with active compression delivers cold therapy directly to the elbow. It is ideal for treating elbow ailments as it actively applies cold compression to affected area.
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Chiropractic treatment – Chiropractic care involves using hands-on techniques to reduce swelling and discomfort caused by elbow pain.
Preventing Elbow Pain Reducing the amount of stress placed on the elbow joint over time may help in preventing pain. Adopting several self-care measures like giving arm proper rest, avoiding activities that cause strain to the affected muscles and tendons, taking regular breaks in between activities and wrapping the injured area with a brace (to reduce swelling) can help prevent the occurrence of elbow pain in the long-run.
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www.hqbk.com