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What Causes Swelling And Pain Above Elbow?

Posted on Tue, 9 Sep 2014

Question: Hi, my left arm above my elbow and medially to the elbow has been swollen and sore for a few months. There is no signs of redness or heat or even pain when palpated. It gets sore where it is swollen when my arm is bent for too long or I do forceful tricep extension. It'll ache just under the elbow as well when my elbow is bent for too long. My professors are PTs and they cannot narrow down what is wrong. They're thinking it may be tricipital bursitis. My right arm is also starting to swell a little like this, probably from compensation. I've been taking NSAIDs and icing it every night as well as soaking it in epsom salts nightly. The image I have uploaded doesn't show the extensive swelling. It looks more round and larger than the image, and it appears to cross the joint diagonally. Any recommendations on what's wrong? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
More Information required

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. I need answer to following question to understand better like-
Do you have numbness and tingling sensation in hand?
Any pain and swelling in other joints?

My suggestion for the time being is rest along with the pain killer medicine as usual. To rule out any bony pathology get an x-ray of elbow. My Impression is Golfer elbow, what your professor has to say about it?
Looking forward to your reply.
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