Elbow pain
Alternate Names : Pain - elbow
Home Care & Treatment
In adults, the following steps can help treat many cases of elbow pain: - When you first notice the pain, apply ice up to 15 minutes every hour for the first day. Continue to apply ice every 3 to 4 hours for up to 3 days. Wrap the ice in a cloth -- do not apply ice directly to the skin.
- Wrap the elbow with a bandage, such as an ACE bandage. You may need an air splint to keep the elbow immobilized.
- Keep the elbow elevated above your heart, if possible.
- Give the elbow joint complete rest for at least 2 days. DO NOT return to the activity that caused the problem for at least 3 weeks. Then, gradually strengthen the muscles around your elbow. A physical therapist can teach you how to do this.
- While you are resting the joint, take pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- After the initial rest period, you should begin to gradually strengthen the muscles around the elbow through gentle flexibility exercises.
Nursemaid's elbow can be treated in a doctor's office or emergency room.
Call your Health Care Provider if
Contact your doctor if: - You have a prolonged case of tendinitis that doesn't improve with home care.
- The pain is due to a direct elbow injury.
- There is obvious deformity.
- You are unable to use the elbow.
- You have fever or swelling and redness of your elbow.
- A child has elbow pain.
What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, including a thorough examination of the elbow, and ask questions such as: - Are both elbows affected?
- Does the pain shift from the elbow to other joints?
- Is the pain over the outside bony prominence of the elbow?
- Did the pain begin suddenly and severely?
- Did the pain begin slowly and mildly and then get worse?
- Is the pain resolving spontaneously?
- Did the pain begin following an injury?
For chronic tennis elbow, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever and a corticosteroid injection into the painful area. Usually no more than three such injections are performed. Surgery is a last resort. For arthritis, physical therapy and analgesics may help. For infections, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. For bursitis, your doctor may need to drain fluid.
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