You likely move your arm much more on a daily basis than you realize, from reaching out to turn a doorknob to opening your refrigerator. While these are often unconscious movements for you, any pain in your arm can affect your ability to perform these everyday tasks. If you experience elbow pain when you straighten your arm, tasks like grabbing something off a high shelf in your closet or walking your dog can be uncomfortable.
Any sort of persistent pain can impact your overall quality of life. However, let’s focus on recurring elbow pain. If straightening your arm consistently causes pain in your elbow, it’s time to explore potential explanations so that you can receive the right treatment.
Read on to learn about possible reasons for pain in your elbow when you straighten your arm, as well as how KC Rehab can help treat it.
Potential reasons you may feel pain in your elbow when you straighten your arm
Your elbow is a joint that allows your arm to move in many ways, including being extended and straightened. Along with the joint, your elbow properly functions with the help of muscles, cartilage, ligaments and bones.
If you’re experiencing pain in your elbow every time you straighten your arm for an extended period, or the pain is associated with swelling, stiffness or a popping sound, you should book an appointment to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. They can determine if you have a medical condition or injury that’s causing your pain and help you decide on treatment options. Along with a physical exam and assessment, they may run imaging tests, such as an X-ray or a computed tomography scan.
Here are a few potential explanations for pain in the elbow when you’re straightening your arm:
Tennis elbow — Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a type of tendinitis caused by repeated gripping or wrist extensions. The excessive stress on the elbow can lead to tendons to become inflamed. It’s common not only among tennis players, but also painters and daily computer users. Tennis elbow can cause pain on the outside of your elbow when you’re straightening your arm, as well as the outside of your forearm and wrist.
Cubital tunnel syndrome — The ulnar nerve runs from your neck down to your hand, providing both motor and sensory functions. When this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, it’s known as cubital tunnel syndrome. It can be caused by frequent elbow bending, leaning on your elbows for extended periods of time or direct trauma to the area. Symptoms include pain when extending your arms, muscle weakness and numbness.
Arthritis — There are many types of arthritis that can impact the elbow joint, though rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common. RA is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack the healthy lining of the elbow joint. It can cause pain in your elbow when you’re straightening your arm due to joint pain or swelling. Other symptoms of arthritis in the elbow include swelling and locking.
Fracture — There are three bones located in your elbow: the ulna, radius and humerus. It’s possible to break one or more of these bones due to a traumatic blow, such as falling with your elbow sticking out or getting hit with a blunt object. An elbow fracture can cause pain during many arm movements, including straightening it. Other symptoms include swelling, tenderness and reduced range of motion.
KC Rehab can help you address and alleviate pain in your elbow when you straighten your arm
It’s impossible to not straighten your arm at some point throughout your day. If this movement causes elbow pain each time, you may have an injury or medical condition that requires further assistance and treatment.
At KC Rehab, we want to make sure that you’re able to complete your everyday routines without wincing in pain. We’ll carry out an initial assessment in your first appointment with us to examine your symptoms as well as your arm’s strength, range of motion, flexibility and function. We’ll also discuss your medical history and goals for physical therapy. From there, we’ll work with you to design a personalized treatment plan that alleviates your pain and improves the overall quality of the affected area.
Your physical therapy plan may include treatments such as targeted exercises, manual therapy and dry needling.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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