What Should I Do For Elbow Pain? Chronic Pain vs Acute

There’s Nothing Funny About Elbow Pain

Nagging elbow pain is no laughing matter. The elbow helps with various movements, including lifting, swinging, and hugging. So when someone suffers from pain, things can feel out of sync. The elbow is made up of the humerus, or upper arm bone, the ulna, and radius or forearm bone. Tendons and ligaments further support the elbow and help with movement. With pain, one or more of these components are involved, and doctors will classify the pain as either chronic or acute.

Chronic vs acute?

Simply put, elbow pain, or any joint pain for that matter, can be immediate or long-term. Long-term or chronic elbow pain is a repetitive use injury and can happen to anyone. In sports, for instance, golfers, boxers, baseball pitchers, and tennis players may suffer chronic pain. Office and factory operators who work for hours on end get chronic injuries too. Acute elbow pain, on the other hand, is caused by a one-time injury. Typical scenarios include sports injuries, falls, or a blow to the area.

Here’s what’s behind your chronic pain

There are a few conditions behind the constant pain, swelling, and tenderness. Bursitis, for instance, is inflammation of the bursa sac, a fluid-filled sac that helps with lubrication. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are known as tendinopathy, an injury to the tendon. Finally, cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by increased pressure on the ulnar nerve. Arthritis, the gradual wear and tear of cartilage and bone, is the most frequent of all. Finding the reason behind chronic elbow pain can be difficult. Make sure to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Dealing with acute elbow pain

Acute pain happens due to an accident or one-off injury. Most people can tell when an acute injury occurs. Doctors classify these injuries in 1 of 3 ways:

1.  Elbow dislocations happen when one of the bones gets knocked out of place. Dislocations occur when trying to break a fall.
2.  Fractured elbows are more serious as one of the bones breaks at the elbow. Fractures often happen in a contact sport or a car accident.
3. Strains and sprains happen when muscles or ligaments get stretched or torn. These types of injuries are common during sports or while lifting heavy objects.

Most acute injuries need immediate assistance from a doctor.

Putting pain in its place

Whether chronic or acute, there are a few ways to treat elbow pain. To start, make sure to develop a relationship with a doctor. Patients can treat chronic elbow pain with pain medicine like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Other treatment options include temperature therapy and physical therapy. If these fail, steroid injections and surgery are powerful options. Acute pain often requires immediate care. Dislocations, for instance, need to be put back in place. Some fractures need splints and surgery along with chronic pain management options.

Take your elbow pain seriously

Whether sharp or chronic, elbow pain should not be played with. Over time, the injury can affect the quality of life. Confirm the cause of the damage by seeking medical help, especially if the pain does not go away. Some conditions may need immediate treatment, including surgery. Follow these simple steps to manage the pain, and in due time, the elbow will be nice and flexible again.