With its repetitive motions and heavy weights, the sport of weightlifting can be dangerous to various joints in the body. Since lifting weights generally involves repetitive bending of the elbow joint, excessive or improper weight lifting places your elbow at particular risk for injury. In fact, pain in the elbow while lifting weights can be attributed to a wide variety of medical conditions and injuries.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Commonly referred to as "tennis elbow," lateral epicondylitis is one of the most common injuries of the elbow. Although it frequently occurs among tennis players, it also occur happens to people who repeatedly extend their wrist against a resisting force. Among weight lifters, lateral epicondylitis most commonly occurs after lifting an object that is too heavy or completing too many sets of alternating dumbbell curls. Because of the repetitive motions, the tendon that runs along the outer edge of your elbow joint becomes strained. The small muscles in your forearm near your elbowalso generally become inflamed, and the number of pain receptors in the area increases. As a result, you experience pain on the outside of your elbow about 1/2 to 1 inch below the bony prominence.
Tendinitis & Tendinosis
Tendons are durable rope-like structures that attach bones to muscles. When you move your body, a certain amount of stress is placed on your tendons as they work. Occasionally, the stress placed on tendons is excessive enough to cause injury. Tendinitis refers to a condition where the tendons become inflamed and tender. Tendinosis is an accumulation of microscopic tears in the tendon. Since it involves actual damage to your tendons, tendinosis is much more serious than tendinitis. However, both conditions typically cause pain, aching and burning near your elbow, along with tenderness and stiffness of the joint.
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
One of the three major nerves in your arm, the ulnar nerve extends along the inside of your arm from your collarbone to your hand, near your little finger. Near your elbow, the ulnar nerve sits near the surface on your inside elbow. Your ulnar nerve is responsible for the tingling and pain you feel after hitting your "funny bone." While lifting weights and repeatedly bending your elbow, this nerve may become pinched or compressed behind your elbow. Symptoms of ulnar nerve entrapment include aching pain along the inside of your elbow and numbness and tingling of your ring finger and little finger. You might also notice a weakened grip or difficulty using your fingers.
Severe Strain
Although painful, the elbow injuries associated with weight lifting are often relatively minor and harmless. After a few days or weeks of rest, regular icing and gentle therapy, most elbow conditions heal without further treatment. However, improper or excessive weight lifting occasionally results in a serious injury to the elbow joint. For example, a severe strain occurs when the tendon actually tears apart inside the elbow. Along with intense pain, a severe strain also causes swelling, muscle spasms and loss of strength. Surgical repair is necessary following a severe elbow strain.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Evaluation of Overuse Elbow Injuries
- Bodybuilding.com: Tennis Elbow
- Sports Injury Clinic: Tennis Elbow / Lateral Epicondylitis
- Tendinosis.org: Research Into Tendinosis (Commonly Known As Tendinitis) And Other Chronic Tendon Injuries
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
- Bombay City District Amateur Athletic Association: Elbow Strain
