Here is a discussion and common ailments for the elbow. Most of these conditions can be treated naturally with effective results.
Ever wondered how your elbow works? The elbow is the joint where three long bones meet in the middle portion of the arm. The bone of the upper arm (humerus) meets the inner bone of the forearm (ulna) and the outer bone of the forearm (radius) to form a hinge joint. The radius and ulna also meet in the elbow to allow for rotation of the forearm. The elbow functions to move the arm like a hinge (forward and backward) and in rotation (twisting outward and inward). The biceps muscle is the major muscle that flexes the elbow hinge. The triceps muscle is the major muscle that extends the elbow hinge (http://www.medicinenet.com/elbow_pain/article.htm).
Common elbow issues are as follows:
Tendinitis: With repetitive motions of the forearm, such as turning a screwdriver or practicing a backhand on the tennis court, the tendons can become inflamed causing pain over the outside of the elbow and occasional warmth and swelling.
Medial epicondylitis: Medial epicondylitis is inflammation at the point where the tendons of the forearm attach to the bony prominence of the inner elbow. As an example, this tendon can become strained in a golf swing, but many other repetitive motions can injure the tendon and cause pain and tenderness over the inner elbow.
Olecranon bursitis: Olecranon bursitis (inflammation of the bursa at the tip of the elbow) can occur from injury or minor trauma as a result of systemic diseases such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, or it can be due to a local infection. With this, you would normally experience pain over the tip of the elbow.
Fractures and sprains: Breaking the bones of the elbow or tearing the ligaments can also lead to elbow pain.
Disease and other conditions include arthritis which is generally associated with inflammation, warmth, pain, tenderness, and decreased range of motion; cellulitis occurring as a result of skin abrasions that become infected; infected elbow joints which are rare and typically seen in patients with suppressed immune systems or diabetes; osteochondritis dissecans, a rare disease of the cartilage; tumors of the elbow joint, which are also rare; and ulnar nerve entrapment which is essentially a pinched “funny bone” nerve.
If you are experiencing elbow pain or discomfort and you are ready to book an appointment, I will be happy to work with you to figure out the best care pathway for your individual needs.
We also have more blog posts about elbow pain for further reading.
