The elbow joint is made up of the arm bone, or humerus, and the radius and ulna bones of the forearm. Injuries to these bones, the protective cushions, the ligaments holding the bones together, or the muscles crossing the bones reduce a person's ability to perform activities of daily living. Pain medicine and use of an ice pack are often prescribed to reduce pain and swelling.
Growth Plate Fracture
The inner bone of the elbow is likely to fracture, especially in young athletes such as baseball pitchers and quarterbacks, who repetitively throw a ball. This condition is called "little league elbow" or epiphyseal fracture; it causes pain and swelling over the bone, according to Sandra Shultz, Ph.D., and colleagues, in their book "Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries."
Ligament Sprain and Rupture
The ulnar collateral ligament secures the humerus and ulna bones in place on the medial side of the elbow. A person who repeatedly throws a ball will stretch, tear and eventually rupture his ulnar collateral ligament. Symptoms of this type of injury include chronic pain with throwing and instability at the medial aspect of the elbow.
Arthritis
An injury to the elbow, such as a fracture or sprain, may eventually lead to the wearing away of the covering the ends of the humerus and ulna, clinically known as traumatic arthritis, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This type of injury is painful and limits a person's ability to straighten and extend the elbow.
Bursitis
There is a bursa or a pillow-like sac between the bony tip of the elbow and the skin. If a person lands hard on the elbows or repetitively rests on them, she increases her chances of irritating her olecranon bursa. This leads to pain, inflammation and reduced range of motion of the affected elbow.
Tendinitis
Many of the muscles which move the wrist, hand and fingers originate on either side of the elbow. Repetitive movements, such as those associated with playing tennis, golf and pitching a ball, place a significant amount of wear and tear on the tendons attached to a person's elbow. This causes tendons to become inflamed, resulting in pain and swelling that makes it difficult to maintain a grip. It also causes a reduced range of motion at the elbow.
References
- "Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries"; Sandra Shultz, Ph.D., Peggy Houglum, Ph.D., and David Perrin, Ph.D.; 2005
- Ortho Info: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Throwing Injuries in the Elbow
- Ortho Info: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Total Knee Replacement
