The elbow joint is made up of bones, cartilage, muscles, bursa, tendons and ligaments, all of which can become injured and cause pain. In cases such as a broken bone, if the injury is treated properly, the pain subsides as the bone heals. However, injuries can become chronic and cause long-term elbow pain. In some cases, chronic pain can be avoided if treatment is sought early on and preventative steps are taken.
Bursitis
Joints contain bursa, which are sacs filled with fluid that cushion the joint. The bursa in the elbow joint are located at the tip of the elbow and they can become inflamed causing pain. This can occur due to overuse or injuries. With proper treatment bursitis should resolve in a few weeks, claims the Drugs.com website. Left untreated, bursitis can become chronic. To prevent chronic pain, avoid leaning on the elbow for extended periods and learn how to perform daily tasks and hobbies without overusing the elbow joint. Resting and icing the area as soon as symptoms appear will also keep bursitis symptoms under control.
Tendinitis
Tendons attach muscles to bones. When the muscle contracts, it transmits the force through the tendon, which in turn pulls on the bone to create movement, such as bending the elbow. If the elbow joint is overused, the tendons can become inflamed and painful, warns the Mayo Clinic. This condition is sometimes called tennis elbow or golfer's elbow, although anyone can get it. If left untreated, tendinitis can become chronic. As soon as symptoms appear, it is important to rest and ice the elbow. This should be followed by modifying activities to avoid excessive bending and straightening of the joint.
Nerve Entrapment
The nerves that carry signals from the brain to the muscles in the arm travel through the elbow. If these nerves become pinched, entrapped or pressed upon, chronic elbow pain may develop. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that bone spurs and inflamed muscles, ligaments or tendons can all place pressure on the nerves. Conditions that cause nerve entrapment are often due to overuse injuries. However, some patients may be born with or develop abnormally narrow tunnels in the elbow joint, which restricts the space that the nerves travel through, This can lead to nerve compression. A physician can run tests to locate exactly where the nerve is affected and then make treatment recommendations.
Strain
Ligaments attach bone to bone. As the bones move the ligaments tighten to prevent hyperextension of the joint. If placed under enough force, or if the elbow joint is overused, the ligaments can become overstretched, pulled or otherwise strained. A ligament strain can become chronic if not treated properly. Johns Hopkins Hospital recommends resting and icing the area until the symptoms subside. This should be followed by a stretching and strengthening program to help stabilize the elbow joint to prevent future injuries.
Arthritis
There are several forms of arthritis that can cause long-term elbow pain. The two most common are osteoarthritis, which is a wearing away of the cartilage between the bones in the elbow, and rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory condition. While less common, the elbow can also develop gout. Cedars-Sinai Hospital suggests developing a multidisciplinary approach to help manage the symptoms. This includes exercise balanced with rest, heat and cold applications, medication and, in severe cases, surgery. The exact treatment approach depends on the type of arthritis and the severity of any joint damage.
