Have you noticed pain in your elbow whenever you bend or straighten your arm? If you’re experiencing persistent elbow pain, consider seeking professional physical therapy treatment. Addressing your condition now can help prevent it from getting worse. Elbow pain when bending and straightening can have many different causes. Before providing treatment, a licensed physical therapist will assess your physical condition to identify the root cause of your pain. This can help ensure that you receive the right kinds of treatment. If you want to get a better idea of what might be causing your pain, it may help to learn about some of the most common explanations for elbow pain when moving.
Common causes of elbow pain when bending and straightening
Tendinitis — Tendons are dense cords of tissue that connect muscles and bones throughout your body. When these cords are irritated or damaged, they can become inflamed. Inflammation of the tendons is called tendinitis. Typically caused by overuse and repetitive stressful motions, tendinitis can lead to pain and tenderness around the elbow. You may notice higher levels of pain whenever you try to bend or straighten your elbow. There are two especially common forms of elbow tendinitis: golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow.
Golfer’s elbow — Medial epicondylitis, also known as golfer’s elbow, occurs when the tendons connecting the elbow and forearm become inflamed. The condition is called golfer’s elbow because it is caused by repetitive motions such as swinging a golf club. In addition to playing golf, other activities that can contribute to golfer’s elbow include throwing and heavy lifting. If you have golfer’s elbow, you may experience stiffness and pain localized around the inside of your elbow.
Tennis elbow — Like golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse injury affecting the elbow tendons. The main difference is that tennis elbow affects the outside of the elbow rather than the inside. People with tennis elbow tend to experience persistent aches, pains and sometimes burning sensations on the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow is a fairly prevalent condition. According to research, 2% of the population has tennis elbow. If you have this condition, physical therapy can help alleviate your symptoms. Treatments such as manual therapy can be highly effective in reducing pain and inflammation.
Elbow sprain — A sprain happens when a ligament is stretched too far or torn. Ligaments are bands of tissue that play an integral role in supporting and stabilizing your joints. When you sprain a ligament in your elbow, you may notice issues with your elbow joint as well. Common symptoms of an elbow sprain include pain, swelling and difficulty moving the elbow. When you do move to bend or straighten your arm, your elbow may feel especially painful. After sustaining an elbow sprain, rest is key. Physical therapy can help you manage your symptoms and work toward recovery.
Bursitis — Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs that function to cushion the joints. When there’s a lot of pressure on the elbow joint, it can irritate the bursae. Not sure if you have bursitis? In addition to feelings of stiffness and pain at the tip of your elbow, bursitis also has visual indicators. If you have elbow bursitis, you may notice your elbow becoming red and swollen. The affected area may feel warm and tender to the touch. With targeted exercises and specialty treatments, your physical therapist can help you find a solution.
Arthritis — Arthritis is a chronic condition involving joint inflammation. People with arthritis affecting the elbow joint typically experience pain and stiffness. If you have arthritis, you may have difficulties bending or straightening your arm at the elbow. Though arthritis is chronic, its symptoms can be managed through comprehensive treatment approaches such as physical therapy.
Bone fracture — If you’re noticing lingering effects after a major elbow injury or other elbow trauma, seeking professional treatment can be vital for making a full recovery. Bone fractures in the elbow do not heal on their own. If one or more of the bones surrounding your elbow joint has fractured, you may require in-depth rehabilitative treatment. Bone fractures typically lead to symptoms that disrupt daily life. The most common symptoms include severe pain, bruising and the inability to move your elbow.
Get personalized treatment for your elbow pain at KC Rehab
When you’re ready to address your elbow pain, KC Rehab is here to help. Our team is committed to offering the highest level of care through tailored, evidence-based treatment methods. With an array of physical therapy treatment strategies, we can effectively treat your elbow pain.
Contact our team today for more information about our pain relief treatments or to schedule an initial appointment.
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