Elbow Pain Treatment
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Elbow Pain Treatment
Elbow pain refers to pain or discomfort in your elbow. But if we consider the term medically, it also refers to stiffness in the joint that restricts its smooth movement. Elbow pain may also refer to numbness or tingling or general weakness in your elbow that radiates towards the upper or lower arm. Sometimes, the symptoms of an unhealthy elbow may show symptoms in the form of pain while making a fist or moving fingers. In any case, you must see an Orthopaedic Doctor to find out the root cause of your elbow pain and seek treatment accordingly.
In Lucknow, Dr. Gaurav Sharma offers the best treatment for elbow pain that may include rest, medicine, physiotherapy and surgery.
What Causes Elbow Pain?
The most common causes of elbow pain are traumas related to sports activities, improper gymming, and accidents. Many a time, overuse of the elbow joint, like in case of construction workers or sportspersons like a badminton player etc may lead to elbow osteoarthritis which can be quite painful in an advanced stage.
Where Can You Find Treatment For Elbow Pain?
Elbow pain should be brought under the care of an orthopaedician as soon as you notice the symptoms. Any elbow pain that persists beyond a period of 7 days is a symptom of an unhealthy elbow. You need to visit an orthopaedic doctor who specialises in joint pain in smaller joints and is experienced in dealing with sports injuries. In Lucknow, Dr. Gaurav Sharma offers the best treatment for elbow pain – both medicinal and surgical.
When Should You Seek Elbow Treatment?
Elbow pain should be brought under the care of an orthopaedician as soon as you notice the symptoms. If you are a sports person or you have an active gymming life or you lift weights regularly, you must see an orthopaedician at least twice a year even if you do not have any symptoms of elbow pain. A regular visit will make sure that if your elbow joint starts wearing off, you get treatment right from the beginning so that the condition does not worsen. In addition, if you have been diagnosed with Arthritis, (which generally affects the hip and the knee first) you need to visit the doctor regularly.
For those who experience elbow pain suddenly, if the pain is bearable and does not seem to hamper regular activities, we suggest that you rest your elbow for a week. If it does not subside or returns after a few days, seek medical attention. In case you had a trauma like a fall or collision or a sudden pull or got into an accident or you see redness and swelling, visit a doctor immediately.
Elbow Pain Treatment in Lucknow
Elbow pain may result from overuse injuries, sports activities, arthritis, tendon disorders, or nerve compression. Dr. Gaurav Sharma provides evaluation and treatment based on the underlying cause.
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Symptoms That May Indicate an Elbow Problem
Patients often describe their symptoms in everyday language. Common symptoms include:
Pain while lifting objects
Pain while gripping or shaking hands
Pain during sports activities
Swelling around the elbow
Stiffness after rest
Difficulty straightening or bending the elbow
Weak grip strength
Clicking or locking sensation
Tingling or numbness in the hand or fingers
Pain that worsens with repetitive movements
Pain while lifting objects
Pain while gripping or shaking hands
Pain during sports activities
Swelling around the elbow
Stiffness after rest
Difficulty straightening or bending the elbow
Weak grip strength
Clicking or locking sensation
Tingling or numbness in the hand or fingers
Pain that worsens with repetitive movements
These symptoms alone do not confirm a specific diagnosis. Clinical examination and imaging studies are important before treatment decisions are made.
When to see a doctor urgently?
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Elbow pain after a fall or accident
- Suspected fracture or dislocation
- Significant swelling after injury
- Inability to move the elbow
- Numbness or weakness in the hand
- Fever combined with a hot, red, swollen joint (may indicate infection)
- Fever with a red, hot, swollen elbow
- Open wounds near the elbow joint
- Sudden severe worsening of symptoms
How Is Elbow Pain Diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan:
Clinical Examination
- Assessment of elbow movement
- Tenderness evaluation
- Ligament stability testing
- Muscle strength assessment
- Nerve examination
Imaging & Investigations
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound Scan
- CT Scan (when required)
- Blood Tests (if infection or inflammatory arthritis is suspected)
Treatment Ladder for Elbow Pain
Most patients do not require surgery. Treatment is usually approached in stages:
1) Non-Surgical Management
- Activity modification
- Rest from aggravating activities
- Ice application
- Pain-relieving medications
- Anti-inflammatory medications
2) Physiotherapy, Bracing & Injections
- Physiotherapy programmes
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Elbow braces or supports
- Corticosteroid injections
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections
3) Minimally Invasive Procedures
- Ultrasound-guided procedures
- Arthroscopic elbow procedures in selected cases
4) Elbow Surgery
- Symptoms persist despite conservative treatment
- Significant tendon damage is present
- Joint instability develops
- Severe arthritis affects function
- Imaging confirms a surgically treatable condition
Recovery Expectations
Recovery varies depending on the diagnosis and treatment provided:
Conservative Treatment
Many patients improve within several weeks through activity modification and physiotherapy.
Injection-Based Treatment
Relief may occur within days to weeks depending on the condition being treated.
Surgical Treatment
Recovery timelines vary depending on the procedure performed and individual health factors.
Risks and Limitations of Elbow Pain Treatment
Knee replacement is a major surgical procedure. While outcomes are excellent in the majority of patients, informed consent includes discussion of the following:
Treatment Risks
- Medication side effects
- Injection-related complications
- Infection
- Temporary discomfort after procedures
- Surgical complications
Limitations
- Recovery varies between individuals
- Repetitive strain activities may trigger recurrence
- Some degenerative conditions require long-term management
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes elbow pain?
Elbow pain may result from tendon injuries, arthritis, sports injuries, overuse, or nerve compression.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a tendon condition that causes pain on the outer side of the elbow due to repetitive strain.
Can elbow pain improve without surgery?
Yes. Most patients improve with rest, physiotherapy, medications, and activity modification.
When is an MRI required?
An MRI may be recommended when tendon injuries, ligament injuries, or joint damage are suspected.
Is physiotherapy effective for elbow pain?
Yes. Physiotherapy can improve strength, flexibility, and function.
When are injections recommended?
Injections may be considered when symptoms persist despite conservative treatment.
When is surgery required?
Surgery may be considered when symptoms continue despite treatment or when significant structural damage is present.
Can sports cause elbow pain?
Yes. Repetitive sports activities can contribute to tendon and ligament injuries.
How long does recovery take?
Recovery depends on the diagnosis and treatment approach used.
Can elbow pain return after treatment?
Some conditions may recur if repetitive strain activities continue.
Dr. Gaurav Sharma
Chief Orthopedic Specialist
Dr. Gaurav Sharma
Chief Orthopedic Specialist
Why Choose Orygyn Clinic?
- Led by Dr. Gaurav Sharma, MMBS, MS Orthopaedics, Fellowship in Arthroplasty, Fellowship in Arthroscopy
- Trained at Medanta, Gurgaon and Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai.
- Specialist in Joint replacement Surgery
- Modern operation theatre with laminar flow (infection control standard for joint surgery)
- Full orthopaedic and gynaecology facility under one roof
- Structured pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative protocols
- Dedicated physiotherapy support for rehabilitation
Dr. Gaurav Sharma
Dr. Gaurav Sharma is one of the best Orthopedic Surgeon in Lucknow. He is well known to provide patient-focused care and excellence in treating all conditions of Knee, Shoulder & other Orthopaedic problems.
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Dr. Ruchi Garg
Dr. Ruchi Garg is a dedicated Senior Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Laparoscopy Surgeon with 23+ years of vast experience in clinical practice, surgeries & academics. She is well known for preferring & successfully conducting Normal Deliveries, even for her High-Risk Pregnancy Patients.