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What Causes Left Elbow And Forearm Discomfort After Lifting Weights?

Posted on Mon, 6 Feb 2017

Question: Hi, after a session of weight lifting (Bicep workout) I woke in the middle of the night to discomfort in my elbow forearm and wrist. My elbow feels unstable and it cracks every time I fully extend it. When I bend my fingers back it hurts my wrist also I am not able to lift anything, a 2 pound weight feels uncomfortable. I rested for about two weeks. I returned to work and did some light sweeping after I finished the sweeping I had radiating pain on the outside of my elbow down to my wrist. I saw a dr a few days ago and they were not sure what it was. They took x rays of my wrist and elbow and both came back negative for broken bones. I tired light strengthening exercises about a week ago and it just made my condition worst. The dr did some test for tennis elbow like apply pressure to the boney part of the elbow, and other parts of my arm. I did not feel any pain when she did this. Does this sound like tennis elbow? Thank you for your time.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be a tennis elbow.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in the outside of elbow radiating down the forearm is likely to be related to ulnar nerve compression or inflammation. It can also be related to tendonitis. Most commonly it is caused by a tennis elbow or cubital tunnel syndrome.
You can help the improvement by-
1. Give adequate rest to the arm.
2. Apply heat therapy.
3. Get some anti-inflammatory medication prescribed from your orthopedician.
4. Immobilize the arm for a short period.
5. Soft tissue therapy can be used to break down adhesions that may be restricting the nerve.
6. Neural stretching exercises are helpful under the care of a physiotherapist.

I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Thank you for the information. I really need to get back to work as possible, I have that tennis elbow can linger for 6- 12 months. Is this true? Can prp shots help advance the healing process?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Local steroid shots will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Tennis elbow can linger if not treated properly. Rest and pain killers will help in reducing inflammation. Local steroid shots will also help in an early recovery.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

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