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What Causes Pain In Elbow Joint While Straightening The Left Arm?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I having lot of pain while straightening my left arm. The pain is near elbow joint on my left hand. I am a left hander by birth and use this arm for playing any sport like Badminton or Squash.
Since last few months, there is a severe pain after I play any of these sports. I got an X-Ray done but nothing untoward was reported. I was told that my anconeus muscle is weak and suggested some exercise. I would like to take another expert opinion. Also, I am open to do any MRI etc. if needed to diagnose the exact problem.
I love playing Squash & Badminton and do not want to stop them :)
Any help or guidance on this matter will be highly appreciated.
Best Regards
XXXX
I having lot of pain while straightening my left arm. The pain is near elbow joint on my left hand. I am a left hander by birth and use this arm for playing any sport like Badminton or Squash.
Since last few months, there is a severe pain after I play any of these sports. I got an X-Ray done but nothing untoward was reported. I was told that my anconeus muscle is weak and suggested some exercise. I would like to take another expert opinion. Also, I am open to do any MRI etc. if needed to diagnose the exact problem.
I love playing Squash & Badminton and do not want to stop them :)
Any help or guidance on this matter will be highly appreciated.
Best Regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Tennis elbow or cubital tunnel syndrome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in while straightening the left arm is likely to be related to ulnar nerve compression or inflammation. Most commonly it is caused by a tennis elbow or cubital tunnel syndrome. MRI scan of the elbow will help in proper diagnosis. Such soft tissue inflammations cannot be detected on an X-ray.
You can help the improvement by-
1. Give adequate rest to the arm. Avoid activities that require you to keep your arm bent for long periods of time.
If you use a computer frequently, make sure that your chair is not too low. Do not rest your elbow on the armrest.
Avoid leaning on your elbow or putting pressure on the inside of your arm. For example, do not drive with your arm resting on the open window.
Keep your elbow straight at night when you are sleeping. This can be done by wrapping a towel around your straight elbow or wearing an elbow pad backwards.
Painkillers for pain ,steroids, bracing or splinting , nerve gliding exercise etc. will also help.
2. Apply cold 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.
Surgery might be needed in severe cases with persistent symptoms.
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
Tennis elbow or cubital tunnel syndrome.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The pain in while straightening the left arm is likely to be related to ulnar nerve compression or inflammation. Most commonly it is caused by a tennis elbow or cubital tunnel syndrome. MRI scan of the elbow will help in proper diagnosis. Such soft tissue inflammations cannot be detected on an X-ray.
You can help the improvement by-
1. Give adequate rest to the arm. Avoid activities that require you to keep your arm bent for long periods of time.
If you use a computer frequently, make sure that your chair is not too low. Do not rest your elbow on the armrest.
Avoid leaning on your elbow or putting pressure on the inside of your arm. For example, do not drive with your arm resting on the open window.
Keep your elbow straight at night when you are sleeping. This can be done by wrapping a towel around your straight elbow or wearing an elbow pad backwards.
Painkillers for pain ,steroids, bracing or splinting , nerve gliding exercise etc. will also help.
2. Apply cold 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.
Surgery might be needed in severe cases with persistent symptoms.
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
Thank You very much for detailed explanation. Really helps.
And you recommend MRI scan of the elbow. Is there any specific term to be explained or I can just show the problematic area and request for MRI scan of the elbow?
Just to be absolutely clear in my problem statement regarding the pain area, it is at the outer side of my left hand around elbow joint and it is localized. Whenever I attempt to straighten my hand, it pains.
And you recommend MRI scan of the elbow. Is there any specific term to be explained or I can just show the problematic area and request for MRI scan of the elbow?
Just to be absolutely clear in my problem statement regarding the pain area, it is at the outer side of my left hand around elbow joint and it is localized. Whenever I attempt to straighten my hand, it pains.
Brief Answer:
Tennis elbow likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
You can show the problematic area and request for the MRI scan. Get it recommended from your orthopedician as he will specify the relevant clinical history and the provisional diagnosis.
After reading the details the chances of tennis elbow are more.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Tennis elbow likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
You can show the problematic area and request for the MRI scan. Get it recommended from your orthopedician as he will specify the relevant clinical history and the provisional diagnosis.
After reading the details the chances of tennis elbow are more.
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
Answered by
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