Elbow pain

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your elbow is a complex joint that allows you to perform pushing and pulling movements and to rotate your forearm. Elbow pain can be caused by injury or strain to the bones in your elbow joint, the surrounding muscles or the tendons, which attach the muscles to the bones. Elbow pain may also be due to damage arising from the elbow joint's network of nerves, blood vessels and ligaments. On occasion, problems in your neck, shoulder and upper arm, or your forearm and wrist can result in elbow pain.

Elbow pain usually isn't serious, but because you use your elbow in so many ways, elbow pain can definitely affect your life.

Causes
References
  1. Anderson BC, et al. Evaluation of elbow pain in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 20, 2010.
  2. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00068. Accessed July 20, 2010.
  3. Ferri FF. Elbow pain. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00040-8--s0125. Accessed July 20, 2010.
  4. Srinivasan RC, et al. Orthopedic surgery. In: Doherty GM. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5314956. Accessed July 20, 2010.
  5. Deune EG, et al. The patient with hand, wrist, or elbow pain. In: Imboden JB, et al. Current Rheumatology Diagnosis & Treatment. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2729561. Accessed July 20, 2010.
  6. Sprains and strains. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sprains_Strains/default.asp. Accessed July 20, 2010.
  7. van den Ende KIM, et al. Radial tunnel syndrome. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2010;35:1004.
  8. Fleisig GS, et al. Prevention of elbow injuries in youth baseball pitchers. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 2009;8:250.
  9. Sellards R, et al. The elbow: Diagnosis and treatment of common injuries. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2005;32:1.
  10. ACR appropriateness criteria chronic elbow pain. Reston, Va.: American College of Radiology. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=13663. Accessed July 21, 2010.
MY00115 Sept. 11, 2010

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