Numerous conditions can provoke pain in the lateral elbow. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, elbow pain, including lateral elbow pain, is usually caused by repetitive overuse or strain injuries. However, traumatic injuries and certain medical conditions can also cause lateral--on the outside of the arm--elbow pain. Any structure that helps compose the lateral elbow--nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments and bone--can generate pain in this location.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitis can cause lateral elbow pain. According to the Mayo Clinic website, one of the principle causes of lateral epicondylitis--also known as tennis elbow--is playing too much tennis, although many other everyday activities can also cause pain on the outside of the elbow. A person with lateral epicondylitis will usually feel elbow pain or discomfort where the forearm muscle tendons attach to the bony bump, known as the lateral epicondyle, on the outside of the elbow. In some cases, pain radiates into the forearm and wrist on the affected side. Common signs and symptoms associated with tennis elbow include the following: elbow pain with wrist extension, forearm muscle weakness, elbow pain that gets progressively worse over a period of weeks and months, pain with grasping activities and a reduced ability to hold certain objects. The Mayo Clinic website states that preventive measures, such as reviewing technique, building strength and warming up properly, can help prevent lateral epicondylitis in tennis players.
Bursitis
Bursitis can cause lateral elbow pain. The Clinical Sports Medicine website states that bursitis, especially radiohumeral bursitis, can cause lateral elbow pain among athletes and people who perform manual labor. A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that lies between tendons and bone. The bursae help reduce friction between these two tissue types during repetitive motion. Sometimes, however, with excessive movement or motion, or with muscle imbalances, the bursae become inflamed and irritated, causing pain and discomfort in the affected area. Bursae are found throughout the body, around the body's largest joints. The radiohumeral bursa lies in the elbow, near the radius and humerus bones. The radius bone is the smaller of the two long bones in the forearm, while the humerus is the long bone in the upper arm. Common signs and symptoms associated with bursitis include swelling and pain in the affected area along with reduced joint active range of motion, states the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Radial Nerve Entrapment
Radial nerve entrapment can cause lateral elbow pain. According to the Sports Injury Clinic website, radial nerve entrapment causes symptoms that are similar to lateral epicondylitis. The radial nerve is one of the largest nerves in the upper extremity. This nerve, along with its branches, enlivens the triceps muscles and the long wrist extensor muscles of the wrist and hand. The radial nerve also provides sensation to most of the dorsal surface, or back, of the hand. Entrapment, or compression, of the radial nerve is often caused by inflamed tendons. Although radial nerve entrapment can occur at any point along the path of the radial nerve, one of the most common locations for entrapment is in the upper forearm, near the elbow. Fractures, or breaks, in the humerus can also cause radial nerve entrapment. The Sports Injury Clinic website states that a person with suspected radial nerve entrapment should visit a sports medicine specialist or other qualified health care professional.
