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Suggest Treatment For Sudden Pain In Elbow
Question: My husband went to sit down and as he sat, had arm on side of sofa, and all of sudden his elbow begin to hurt. He did not notice a pop or crack, or loose strength then just a sharp pain, kept getting worse, no noticeable swelling, or bruising. It continues to bother him, we have given him 2 ibuprophin, and no relief. He explains that if he pulls arm toward body can get about 90 degrees before it hurts, every increment more is hard and to touch chest has to use other hand and sharp instant constant pain at elbow, seems to be on inside and on outer pinky finger side of elbow. He can not put weight on his elbow, like attempt a push up. If putting pressure on fingers - pushing against something- pain with his thumb. Where do we go? Cold or heat? Could it be tendon, ligament, muscle or bone? He is non smoker, non, drinker, 45 yr , old army veteran helicopter pilot ( only note this bc it is his dominant hand and he has shown early carpal tunnel in hand and shoulder pain he refuses to have checked) - height 6'3" weight 265# . Only takes OTC nexium, only one gallbladder surgery 2014 and one jaw surgery 1989 . No known allergies.
Brief Answer:
It is most likely tendinitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query
I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. Most likely he is having tendinitis (medial epicondylitis) of elbow also called golfer's elbow. It is like tennis elbow. In tennis elbow pain is on outerside ( thumb side) of elbow and in golfers elbow pain in on inside ( pinky side) . Both the conditions are similar and are tendinitis (inflammation of tendon) and are generally due to overwork.
Treatment of this condition is rest to joint ( minimum work by affected elbow and arm) and analgesic such as ibuprofen for pain relief. If pain is not relieved by ibuprofen then strong analgesic such as tramadol can be of use. In resistant cases I found application injection triamcilone locally with very good results in patients coming to my clinic. You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
It is most likely tendinitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query
I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. Most likely he is having tendinitis (medial epicondylitis) of elbow also called golfer's elbow. It is like tennis elbow. In tennis elbow pain is on outerside ( thumb side) of elbow and in golfers elbow pain in on inside ( pinky side) . Both the conditions are similar and are tendinitis (inflammation of tendon) and are generally due to overwork.
Treatment of this condition is rest to joint ( minimum work by affected elbow and arm) and analgesic such as ibuprofen for pain relief. If pain is not relieved by ibuprofen then strong analgesic such as tramadol can be of use. In resistant cases I found application injection triamcilone locally with very good results in patients coming to my clinic. You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.
Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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