What Causes Elbow Pain?

Dislocated Elbow

Elbow dislocation is a term used to describe when an individual's ulna and radius bones move out of their proper alignment with the humerus bone. The most common causes of elbow dislocation are from bracing the body against a fall and other traumatic injuries like those from an automobile accident. An individual with a dislocated elbow may experience symptoms such as swelling, inability to bend the arm, and severe pain in the elbow. Several complications can occur as a result of a dislocated elbow. Critical arteries and nerves in the arm run through the region around the elbow and can become severely damaged by the abnormal movement of the bones out of alignment. Signs that nerves and arteries have become damaged from a dislocated elbow include the absence of a pulse in the wrist and impaired sensation in the arm or hand.

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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects the nerve known as the funny bone (ulnar nerve). Cubital tunnel syndrome can be caused by an individual placing direct pressure on the ulnar nerve because it does not have much of a tissue buffer over it. An individual who overstretches their ulnar nerve by keeping their elbow in a bent position for a long duration of time may develop cubital tunnel syndrome. Some patients experience elbow pain from cubital tunnel syndrome when the ulnar nerve moves out of place and snaps back and forth over the protruding bony bump in their elbow as they are moving it. The ulnar nerve becomes inflamed from the repeated snapping motion. Most cases of cubital tunnel syndrome can be treated with physical therapy and medical splints, but some cases require surgery to relieve the pressure on the ulnar nerve.

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