Elbow Pain Relief In Pittsburgh, PA
The Elbow Joint
The elbow is a hinged joint that comprises three bones: the humerus, radius, and ulna. The ends of the bones are each covered in cartilage. The bones are held together by ligaments.
Elbow pain affects many people and is a leading cause of decreased function among athletes.
Repetitive Stress Injuries
This occurs as a result of repetitive motions that irritate or inflame the soft tissues of the elbow joint.
Tennis Elbow
(Also known as lateral epicondylitis) is inflammation or irritation of the tissues on the lateral side of the elbow. It is a painful condition that occurs by repetitive motions of the arm and wrist. This problem isn’t exclusive to tennis players. It also affects tradesmen (carpenters, plumbers, electricians), butchers, and weight lifters.
Golfer’s Elbow
(Also known as media epicondylitis) is inflammation or irritation of the tissues on the medial side of the elbow. Like tennis elbow, golfers’ elbow affects people who use their hands a lot (golfers, tradesmen, etc..).
Arthritis
Elbow arthritis is a condition that occurs when the cartilage in the elbow joint wears down, causing pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. There are several causes of elbow arthritis, including age, trauma and injuries, overuse, inflammatory diseases & genetics.
Bursitis
(Also known as olecranon bursitis), is a condition that occurs when the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions the joint, becomes inflamed. The most common cause of elbow bursitis is repetitive friction or pressure on the bursa, which can lead to irritation and swelling. Common causes include trauma, repetitive motion, infections, inflammatory diseases, and certain medications.
Symptoms of Elbow Pain
The symptoms of elbow pain can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, they resemble many other orthopedic conditions in that there is inflammation (as well as the possibility of nerve problems.
- Pain when making a fist (golfer’s elbow)
- Pain when opening the fingers (tennis elbow)
- Tenderness (to the touch)
- Swelling or redness
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers
- Weakness in the forearm or hand
How to Find Elbow Pain Relief
We start off doing a workup which consists of a consultation, an exam, and a review of any current X-rays. After that, our Doctor creates a diagnosis and a treatment plan. Your therapeutic trial may consist of
- corrective chiropractic adjustments
- soft tissue treatments
- laser therapy
- pulse wave therapy
- rehabilitation
The Doctor may also prescribe herbal or botanical anti-inflammatory supplements. These therapies do not hurt and are very effective at giving long-lasting relief from your toughest pain.
The place to start is by calling us and booking a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes elbow pain without injury?
The most common cause of elbow pain without injury is arthritis. This occurs when the cartilage on the ends of the bones of the elbow grinds down and starts to create irritation and inflammation in the joint.
What is the most common cause of elbow pain?
The most common cause of elbow pain is repetitive stress or overuse injuries.
How do I know if my elbow pain is serious?
If the problem doesn’t resolve on its own or has been present for a while, it is considered serious and requires some external help.
How do you get rid of elbow pain?
The most effective ways of getting rid of elbow pain are: discontinuing the offending activities, ice, chiropractic adjustments, laser, pulse wave, and corrective exercises.
What diseases are associated with elbow pain?
The most common diseases associated with elbow pain are osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis), and rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease).