There are various conditions that affect the elbow joint. The elbow joint is comprised of bone, ligaments, cartilage and fluid and when any of these are damaged or diseased, an individual can experience elbow pain along with other symptoms. Even though the trauma-related causes of elbow pain are quite common, conditions of the elbow joint can also manifest and trigger a number of issues.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a condition affecting the elbow joint. This condition is called medically as lateral epicondylitis which is a common overuse injury that affects the elbow. Certain activities that the individual engages in such as raking, painting and weaving can cause the development of tennis elbow.
The condition is characterized by pain on the outside or lateral aspect of the elbow where the forearm muscles connect to a bony prominence. The usual symptoms linked with tennis elbow include the following:
- Elbow pain that radiates into the forearm and wrist
- Pain during wrist extension
- Weakness of the forearm muscle
- Difficulty holding objects
- Progressive elbow pain
- Pain while gripping objects
Tennis elbow is usually due to overuse and stress on the tissues or repetitive movements. These can cause inflammation of the elbow or small-sized tears in the elbow tendons.
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition affecting the elbow joint. This involves increased pressure on the ulnar nerve as it goes through the cubital tunnel. Due to the closeness of the ulnar nerve to the medial epicondyle or bony prominence of the interior of the elbow, it is prone to pressure and altered function.
In case there is too much pressure on the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel, tingling, numbness and pain can be felt in the forearm, elbow, hand and fingers. The usual causes of pressure on the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel include repetitive elbow bending and straightening, leaning on a surface with the elbows for extended periods, holding the elbow in a bent position for extended periods and thickening of the connective tissue superimposed on the nerve.
Golfer’s elbow
Golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis elbow but it affects the interior or medial aspect of the elbow joint. The usual symptoms include weakness of the wrist, pain close to the bony bump on the interior aspect of the elbow, pain in the affected area when holding objects forcefully, pain during resisted wrist flexion and pain during wrist pronation or rotation of the thumb downward.
Take note that golfer’s elbow is not just limited to golfers but can also affect those who perform repetitive wrist movement. The main cause of golfer’s elbow is repetitive forearm muscle strain that can be due to throwing sports, racket sports and weight training.
Depending on the condition that affects the elbow joint, it is still best to consult a doctor for proper assessment of the condition as well as start the appropriate treatment so that the individual can continue with his/her daily tasks at home or at work.