The Many Causes of Elbow Pain

The elbow joint is the link between the shoulder and the hand. It has immense function in our daily lives, from proper position of the hand to perform tasks such as reaching for a cup of coffee, from the transmission of force from the shoulder to the wrist and hand to throw a ball overhead. That’s why elbow pain can be a real nuisance. It can make everyday tasks difficult and impact your quality of life. If you're dealing with elbow pain, our team at Lancaster Physical Therapy can help.

The elbow is stable due to boney relationships and ligamentous structures; however, the joint lacks an ability to compensate and adjust, thus easily straining the soft tissue through repetitive motion and quick movements. Elbow pain can be the result of an injury, overuse, or degenerative disease. Sometimes, it can also be caused by conditions such as arthritis or bursitis. Treatment for elbow pain will vary depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, rest and ice may be enough to relieve the pain. However, more severe cases may require physical therapy or even surgery. Contact our therapists today to learn more about the personalized programs we can create for you!

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Common Elbow Injuries

At work and at home, we use our elbow repetitively, thus causing many “overuse” injuries. Common elbow injuries include:

• Lateral and medial epicondylitis (Commonly known as tennis and golfer’s elbow): Golfers elbow is caused by inflammation of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow and is often the result of overuse. Tennis elbow is another overuse injury that results from micro-tears in the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow.
• Tendinitis: An inflammation of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow joint. It can be caused by overuse or repetitive motion, but it can also occur following a single traumatic event, such as a fall.
• Ligament sprains and strains: Sudden impact on the elbow due to a fall may cause a fracture or ligament tear, which may then lead to consultation with an orthopedist.

While all of these injuries can be painful, they can usually be treated with a combination of rest, ice, and physical therapy. If you suspect you have one of these elbow injuries, it's important to see a doctor or physical therapist so that you can receive an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. We offer direct access physical therapy so you do not have to wait for a doctor's referral to get help!

Treatments That'll Help With Elbow Pain Relief

For most non-operative elbow injuries, we use a combination of joint and soft tissue mobilization (ASTYM®/IASTM) and exercise progression including eccentric exercise. If your condition requires surgery, we will work with your surgeon per his/her orders in your recovery and communicate all aspects of care.

We offer a range of elbow treatment services that are designed to relieve elbow pain and promote healing. We'll work with you to develop a personalized plan of care that meets your unique needs. Our goal is to help you get back to living your best life, with elbow pain relief. Contact us today to learn more about our elbow pain treatment services.

Stop Your Sore Elbow Pain & Contact Us Today!

Elbow pain can be debilitating, making it hard to perform everyday tasks. If you are suffering from elbow pain, and it is left untreated, elbow pain can lead to long-term damage and reduced mobility. Our team of experts will work with you to develop a treatment plan that will help you get back to your life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get relief from elbow pain.

Did you Know?
Sometimes, a rubber bar or Flexbar® can be an effective, long-term home solution to address your tennis elbow.