If you’re experiencing elbow pain, we can ease it. Elbow injuries are commonly caused by overuse in jobs, sports or activities that involve repetitive motion. But elbows are also susceptible to dislocations, fractures and even arthritic conditions.
Studies show tennis elbow is the result of damage to one muscle: the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). (This muscle helps stabilize the wrist when the elbow is straight.) If the ECRB is weakened through overuse, it can cause micro tears in the tendon, near where it attaches to the lateral epicondyle, which can lead to pain and inflammation.
Cubital tunnel syndrome, also known as ulnar nerve entrapment, is when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed and irritated. (The ulnar nerve is one of the three main nerves in your arm. It travels from your neck down to your hand and can be constricted in many places, including in the collarbone or at the wrist.) This can be caused by:
Bicep tears near the elbow are uncommon. They’re often caused by sudden injury and result in greater arm weakness (when compared to bicep injuries near the shoulder).
Elbow bursitis occurs in the olecranon bursa, a thin and fluid-filled sac that is located on the bony tip of the elbow. The olecranon bursa is normally flat, but if it becomes irritated or inflamed, more fluid will accumulate in the bursa. This results in bursitis.
Elbow bursitis occurs for several reasons:
Osteochondritis Dissecans, or OCD, is a condition that occurs in the joints, mostly in children and adolescents. It presents itself when a small piece of bone begins to separate, due to lack of blood flow. As a result, the bone and cartilage surrounding it begin to crack and loosen. The most common joints affected by this condition are the knees, ankles and elbows. (OCD usually affects one joint, but it can affect multiple joints in children.)
An elbow fracture, also known as an olecranon fracture, is a break in the bony tip of the elbow. (This is part of the ulna, which is one of three bones that form the elbow.) These types of fractures are common. And while they can be isolated, they can also be part of a more complicated elbow injury.
Olecranon fractures are often the result of:
While uncommon, elbow dislocation can occur when the joint and surface of an elbow are separated. Dislocations can be complete or partial, and they’re usually the result of some form of trauma. They typically occur when a person falls on an outstretched hand.
Olecranon fractures are often the result of:
Elbow injuries in “throwers” are often the result of overuse and repetitive high stress. These injuries range from minor damage and inflammation to a complete tear.
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