The elbow is made of ligaments, cartilage, tendons and bones. A hinge, it’s easy to hyperextend or inflame the elbow through repetitive motion or using too much weight in an exercise. Soreness as well as swelling and a decreased range of motion can be the first indications that a serious injury is developing. However, with proper care and strengthening, you can prevent the onset of elbow flexor and tendon injuries or treat them to avoid permanent injury.
Elbow Flexor and Tendon
The flexors and tendons in the elbow work together to help the elbow joint move. Unfortunately, the elbow’s not only commonly used in day-to-day movements but in the performance of a multitude of exercises and sports, putting it at high risk for injury. The tendons connect the bones of the lower arm to each other and to the surrounding muscles. The main elbow flexors — the biceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis — all work together with the tendons each time you flex or extend your elbow. When they become inflamed, soreness can occur.
Causes
Tendinitis is one of the most common causes of soreness in the elbow flexors and tendons, and this is caused by repetitive motion. Also known as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, the repetitive strain from hitting a ball with a racket or swinging a golf club can inflame the inner or outer portions of the elbow joint. Similarly, repetitive motion in weight-bearing exercises using free weights or weight machines can stress the tendons and flexors, causing soreness. Continuing to repeat these exercises despite the pain without treatment of any kind can cause injury.
Prevention
To prevent the development soreness in the elbow joint, take care to perform exercises correctly. Proper form can help you protect the tendons and flexors from becoming inflamed through repetition. Also, limit the amount of time you spend doing any one exercise or playing a particular sport that uses this joint repetitively. Strengthen the muscles in and around the elbow by performing exercises including elbow extensions, and elbow pronation and supination. Make sure to warm up your elbows before working out or playing any sports and to stretch afterward.
Treatment
If soreness of the elbow flexors and tendons increases despite your prevention steps, at-home treatments may be able to help. Use ice to decrease your experience of pain after exercising and/ or use braces or wraps to give your elbow more support. In some cases, over-the-counter pain medications can help to reduce swelling and soreness. If your symptoms continue, see your doctor.
Warning
If the soreness in your elbow is chronic or if you are experiencing intense or severe pain in your elbow, it’s time to see your doctor. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, physical therapy should address the problem effectively in most cases, but in the case of a more severe tear or rupture, surgery may be necessary to initiate recovery.
