Common Elbow Injuries
You don’t realize just how much you move your elbow until you injure it. When you lose your mobility, even just partially, in one arm it can have very frustrating effects on your daily life.
Most elbow injuries are caused by repetitive motions that strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in and around the elbow joint.
Check out our list of the most common elbow injuries below to discover the cause of your elbow issues. For innovative and effective regenerative medicine treatments for your elbow pain, use our easy search tool at Regenerative Medicine Now to find a practitioner near you.
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Dislocation
Dislocation occurs when any of the bones in the elbow joint are forced out of place. Dislocation is very painful and can require surgical intervention, if severe enough.
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Muscle strain
Muscle strain is most often caused by repetitive motions at work or while playing sports. These can be quite painful and limit activities of daily living. Rest is the most important treatment for muscle strains.
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Ligament sprains
If your elbow experiences enough force, a ligament sprain can occur. Ligaments attach bone to bone and are vital for the structural integrity of your elbow joint. Ligament sprains are painful and take a long time to heal.
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Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by normal wear and tear on the body’s joints, including the elbow. The cartilage inside the joint breaks down, causing the bones to rub together painfully. Osteoarthritis is very common and usually responds well to traditional treatments for mild cases, but severe cases are debilitating.
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Bursitis
When the small, fluid-filled sacs inside your joints, which cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles inside the joint, become inflamed, it is called bursitis. Bursitis usually happens after an accident or infection. Luckily, most cases of bursitis are treated with painkillers and rest.
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Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is caused by the overuse of the tendons surrounding the elbow. Tennis elbow is very similar to a golfer’s elbow, but repetitive, forceful motions while doing any activity can cause either of these conditions. The only real cure for tennis or a golfer’s elbow is rest. Careful technique while doing repetitive arm motions will prevent future flare-ups.
Only a qualified medical professional will be able to definitively tell you the cause of your elbow pain or dysfunction. Diagnostic testing, along with a full health history, will determine your specific issue. Once the problem is identified, your doctor will prescribe a range of treatments to help, or hopefully fully cure, your condition.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a painful elbow injury or condition, and have not responded well to traditional treatments or are not satisfied with your remaining level of mobility in the elbow, consider regenerative medicine treatments such as stem cell therapy. Use our handy search tool from Regenerative Medicine Now to find regenerative medical treatments near you.
