Experiencing pain on the inner side of your elbow can be a frustrating and debilitating experience. It can limit your ability to perform simple tasks such as lifting objects, typing, or even shaking hands. Understanding what causes this pain is crucial in finding effective treatment options. This blog post aims to shed light on some common causes of pain to inside elbow and provide insights into possible treatment options.
Understanding Elbow Anatomy
Before delving into the causes of inner elbow pain, it’s essential to understand the basic anatomy of this joint. The elbow is a complex hinge joint formed by three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), and two bones in your forearm – the radius and ulna. The inner side of your elbow, also known as the medial aspect, houses several important structures including muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels.
The most prominent structure on the inside of your elbow is the medial epicondyle – a bony bump where several muscles that control hand and wrist movements originate. Any injury or disease affecting these structures can result in pain to inside elbow.
Common Causes of Pain to Inside Elbow
1. Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
Medial epicondylitis, commonly known as golfer’s elbow, is one of the most common causes of inner elbow pain. It’s an overuse injury that results from repetitive forceful wrist and finger motions. Despite its name, this condition doesn’t only affect golfers; it can occur in anyone who performs repetitive arm movements such as tennis players, bowlers, gardeners or manual laborers.
Golfer’s elbow results in inflammation and micro-tears in tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle causing pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow. The pain may extend down the forearm and worsen with certain movements like gripping or lifting.
2. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is another common cause of pain to inside elbow. It occurs when the ulnar nerve, which passes through a tunnel of tissue (the cubital tunnel) on the inside of your elbow, becomes compressed or irritated. This can result in a variety of symptoms including pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand and fingers.
Common causes of cubital tunnel syndrome include prolonged elbow bending such as during sleep or while talking on the phone, repetitive elbow movements, or direct pressure on the elbow.
3. Elbow Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of one or more joints resulting in pain and stiffness. Although less common than golfer’s elbow and cubital tunnel syndrome, arthritis can also affect the elbow joint causing inner side elbow pain. The most common types of arthritis affecting the elbow include osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis), rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease), and post-traumatic arthritis (occurs after an injury).
4. Other Causes
Other less common causes of inner side elbow pain include ligament sprains, fractures, infections, tumors or referred pain from conditions like heart disease or cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve in neck).
Treatment Options for Inner Elbow Pain
The treatment for inner side elbow pain largely depends on its underlying cause. Conservative treatment options include rest, ice application, over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy exercises to improve flexibility and strength, wearing braces to support your elbow, and of course gentle myofascial release.
I wouldn’t recommend deep pressure through an area thats already inflamed, but gentle myofascial release can help ease tension in the area without aggravating it.
In some cases where conservative treatments fail to provide relief or if there’s significant damage to structures within your elbow joint, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Pain on the inside of your elbow can significantly impact your daily activities and quality of life. Understanding what causes this discomfort is the first step towards finding an effective treatment plan. If you’re experiencing persistent inner elbow pain, it’s crucial to seek professional help for appropriate treatment. Remember, early intervention can prevent further complications and speed up your recovery process.
