Acute elbow pain is caused by injury or overuse, such as tendonitis or tennis elbow. Athletes and those who strain their wrists or elbows are at risk. Treatment involves rest, anti-inflammatory medication, and exercises to strengthen and heal the elbow.
Acute elbow pain can result from a number of causes affecting the joints or surrounding tissue and usually revolve around some type of injury that promotes inflammation and pain. Very rarely acute elbow pain is seen in individuals by accident, as this condition is mostly caused by those who engage in constant activity that involves straining the wrists or elbows. Elbow pain is often the result of tendonitis or tennis elbow, both being inflammation of the tendons. Acute elbow pain can be relieved by pain medication as the elbow heals and can also be treated with anti-inflammatory medications if the acute elbow pain involves swelling or inflammation in the elbow joints.
Many athletes develop severe pain in their elbow after constantly putting pressure on the arm hinge through throwing or striking motions. Repeated motions of this type of activity, without proper exercises that will stretch and work your muscles, increase the chance of inflaming the tendons surrounding your elbow. This condition is called tendonitis, or sometimes tennis elbow, and involves severe pain in the elbow even when used in minor daily activities. Inflammation of the tendons often leads to swelling which increases pain, making movement very minimal and nearly impossible in severe cases.
Sometimes acute elbow pain can be seen in those who abuse their wrists without proper precautions, such as gardeners or those who work constantly with rotary tools. Although the pain can originate in the wrist, it most likely travels to the elbow and affects the tendons, causing pain and tenderness. Babies can also develop nurse’s elbow, which is severe pain in the elbow from a pulling force on an outstretched arm. Often this is treated with rest, as the child’s recovery rate is much faster than that of an adult.
Treatment of acute elbow pain is often achieved through abstinence from strenuous activity involving the wrists and elbows, which will help rest the tendons and speed up the recovery process. If tendonitis is diagnosed, anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed as a treatment to help reduce swelling. Anti-inflammatory foods and herbs can also help reduce inflammation, making it a natural and alternative choice for those who don’t want to deal with the side effects of anti-inflammatory medications. Over time, a doctor will prescribe simple exercises and movements for your elbow that will help strengthen and heal it further.
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