Inner Elbow Pain

When we talk about elbow, we mean the joint where three long bones meet in the middle portion of the arm. Hummers or the bone of the upper arm meets ulna, the inner bone of the forearm and radius or the outer bone of the forearm constituting a hinge joint. In order to allow us rotate our forearms, the radius and ulna also meet in the elbow. The job of the elbow is to move the arm like a hinge and also rotate it.

The biceps muscle plays the key role in flexing the elbow hinge, while the triceps muscle extends the elbow hinge. The outer bone of the elbow is called lateral epicedial and is a part of the hummer's bone.

Elbow pain can be of two types: inner elbow pain and outer elbow pain. Both inner and outer elbow pain are often caused by tendinitis, which occurs because of inflammation of the tendons attached to this area because of injury. Inner or outer elbow pain because of tendonitis can be treated by using ice, medication for inflammation or taking rest. Inner and outer elbow pain can be caused also by arthritis and bursitis.

When there is a sensation in the funny bone, it is actually irritation of a nerve at the elbow that causes numbness and tingling of the inner elbow, forearm and also little and ring fingers. Moreover, bacteria can infect the skin of a scraped elbow causing pain.

Elbow pain can be of various types like ‘tennis elbow' and ‘golfer's elbow.' Although their names refer to specific sports, such types of elbow pain can be caused by various types of physical activities like canoeing, weightlifting, rowing, hockey, swimming, wrestling, swimming etc. or repetitive jobs undertaken different services.

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis happens to be more common among the two in which affected persons feel pain in the outer elbow and find it difficult to grip objects. The inner part of the elbow is a bony prominence referred to as the medial epicondyle. Extra tendons from the muscles attach here and can be injured, leading to golfer's elbow or medial epicondylitis. Golfer's elbow is also a painful injury like tennis elbow, but it affects the inner elbow instead of the outer elbow. It is characterized by local pain and tenderness over the inner elbow. One can feel pain or worsen the already existing pain by indulging in activities that need twisting or straining the forearm tendon. X-rays for epicondylitis are generally normal but can suggest calcifications of the tendons if the tendinitis has persisted for a prolonged period of time.

Normally, treatment for this condition involves ice packs, resting the elbow, and medications including aspirin and other NSAIDs. NSAIDs include naproxen, diclofenac, and ibuprofen. If the inflammation is severe, cortisone injections are needed to be given. The use of a strap can prevent recurrence of injury.

Kids sometimes have ‘nursemaid's elbow' when someone pulls on their straightened arm. The bones are then stretched apart for a moment and a ligament slips in between, in which it gets trapped when the bones try to snap back into place. Usually children will quietly avoids using the arm, but cry out when any attempt is made to bend or straighten the elbow.

• Emma Bullock
• 09/05/2009, 12:59 AM
• 0 Comments