Will My Elbow Pain Go Away on its Own?

When you’re dealing with any kind of pain, even the simplest of tasks are difficult. That’s especially true when your elbow begins to cause you trouble, because you use your arms all day, every day for a variety of activities. But how do you know if the elbow pain is something to worry about?

At Alpha Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our job is to help you figure out what’s causing your pain. Our excellent team of orthopedic surgeons help you decide on a treatment plan that’s right for you, no matter what issue is triggering your pain.

Causes of elbow pain

Your elbow is the joint that’s between your humerus, or upper arm bone, and your radius and ulna, or your lower arm bones. Elbow pain can stem from many different issues involving your joint, tendons, ligaments, and bones. The soft tissues inside your elbow are prone to injury due to overuse. 

Elbow pain is usually one of the signs that there’s a problem; however, you may experience other symptoms, such as:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Trouble bending your arm
• Trouble straightening your arm
• Problems with lifting objects
• Trouble grasping things

Elbow injuries can be acute, meaning they are caused by a sudden injury. Your elbow pain can also be chronic, or due to a condition that causes problems in your joint over time. An example of this is osteoarthritis. Other causes of elbow pain include conditions, such as:

• Broken bones 
• Tennis elbow
• Bursitis
• Biceps tendon tears

If you’re an athlete that plays golf or tennis, you’re more prone to elbow problems because of the constant use of your arms. This is also true for certain professions that require repetitive movements of the arm and elbow joint. 

When to seek treatment

When your elbow is bothering you, the first thought on your mind is how you can relieve the pain. The good news is there are a lot of treatments available to calm down the pain and get your arm back to normal. However, some problems are worse than others, so knowing when to see an orthopedic surgeon near you is key to successful treatment.

Sometimes, elbow pain can go away on its own, especially if it’s due to a strain or sprain. These issues are minor, and with home care usually subside within a few weeks. However, many of the other more serious causes usually require some kind of treatment, especially if they don’t get better after a few weeks of conservative care at home. 

The type of treatment that you’ll need depends on the severity of your injury. For mild conditions in your elbow, the surgeons at Alpha Orthopedics may recommend conservative treatments, such as:

• Elbow bracing
• Ice or heat
• Rest
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Steroid injections

These treatments will help with the swelling and inflammation that can lead to pain in your arm. For acute injuries, like a broken bone, you may need to undergo surgery to make sure the bone heals correctly. 

Our team offers another form of treatment known as regenerative medicine. This includes platelet rich plasma injections that help promote healing within your elbow joint naturally with your own cells. Our doctors may also recommend stem cell therapy for your orthopedic injury. This can help regenerate tissues to give you back function of your joint.

When you’ve had enough of your elbow pain, call one of our conveniently located offices in Texas, or book an appointment with one of our doctors online today.