Tennis elbow may have been named because it's a common injury when playing that sport, but injury to the elbow's tendons and nerves can be caused by a variety of sports, including weight lifting or strength training. Elbow pain may not be serious, but it can make simple tasks such as opening a door or writing more difficult.
Symptoms
If you've overworked your elbow, your primary symptom will be pain, although weakness also occurs. The pain usually radiates from the elbow down through the forearm and into the wrist and will be most prominent when you are performing activities that rely on the elbow joint including opening a door, shaking hands or holding something heavy, such as a carton of milk. Your elbow may be pain-free when it is at rest.
Causes
The repetitive motion of a biceps workout puts strain on the tendons on the side of the elbow by exercising the muscles of the forearm. That motion may cause inflammation or even small tears in the tendon, causing pain when lifting any weight that works the biceps, reports the health experts at MayoClinic.com. The pain may also be caused by bursitis a painful condition that is caused by an inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that act as a cushion between bones and tendons.
Treatment
The first line of treatment for an elbow injury is to rest it, ice it, compress it and elevate it. Over-the-counter pain relievers will help with the pain. You should stop your bicep workout while your elbow is healing. Once the pain is nearly resolved the physical therapists at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma suggest a program to increase flexibility and strength before you begin lifting again.
Warnings
If the pain in your elbow is sudden and sharp, seek immediate medical attention as you may have ruptured the tendon in your elbow or sprained the muscles around the joint.
