Elbow Pain: Common Causes

Elbow pain can arise from the elbow joint and structures surrounding it. Conditions and diseases producing pain in the elbow are different in adults and children.

The elbow is a important area from which many muscles of the forearm arise. From the outer aspect arise the extensor group, and from the inner side arise the flexor group. Sometimes due to unknown reasons these groups of muscles become painful at the elbow area.
Pain in the extensor groups is known as Tennis elbow and in the flexor group it is called Golfers elbow. Click on the respective links above to get a in depth understanding of these conditions.

At the tip of the elbow between the skin and the bone is located a sac like structure that allows the smooth movement of skin over the bone. This is the olecranon bursa. At times this bursa becomes swollen and painful. This condition is called Olecranon bursitis. Know more about olecranon bursitis by clicking here.

The tip of the elbow can become fractured following injury. This fracture is called Olecranon fracture. Learn more about this fracture at the Olecranon Fracture page.

Another important and serious fracture involving the elbow joint is the Radial Head Fracture. It is a fracture of the upper part of the radius bone.
Know more about this fracture including diagnosis, treatment options and complications in the Radial Head Fracture page.

Another serious injury involving the elbow is dislocation of the elbow joint. It results in severe elbow pain and swelling. This injury demands prompt treatment. More on the treatment options and complications in the Elbow dislocation page.

Elbow injuries are quite common in children. Pulled elbow is a condition seen in children, in which the head of the radius bone slips out of it's restraining ligament.
It is more frequently seen between the age of 2 to 3 years. Know more about the cause and treatment method in the Pulled elbow page.

Supracondylar fracture is a important and serious injury of the elbow in children. It can result in deformity and even may cause gangrene. It is usually seen between the age of 7 to 9 years. Cause, classification, diagnosis, treatment and complications are dealt with in the Supracondylar Fracture page.

Lateral Condyle Fracture is the second most common elbow fracture in children after supracondylar fracture. See the classification and treatment by clicking on it's link.

Faulty pitching in children can result in a repetitive injury to the structures of the elbow. This can cause pain and stiffness in the elbow joint. This condition is called Little leaguer's Elbow. More on treatment and prevention in the Little leaguer's elbow page.

Now wait a minute. You may feel like clicking on the links above or below, but I recommend that you first click on this to get relevant knowledge of the elbow anatomy. This will help you in understanding the different conditions better.

Causes of elbow pain...

Tennis Elbow

Golfers Elbow

Olecranon Bursitis

Olecranon Fracture

Radial Head Fracture

Elbow dislocation

Pulled Elbow

Supracondylar Fracture

Lateral Condyle Fracture

Little League Elbow

Elbow Joint Anatomy

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