Your elbow is a significant joint in the body as it allows you to fully control how you use your arm and hand at any given time of the day, which allows for a smoother and more enjoyable type of lifestyle. That said, this hard-working joint is not immune to a number of conditions and problems that cause pain to build up over time or suddenly appear at high levels and it is best to know some of the reasons this may occur. If you do experience increasing pain in your elbow or a sudden problem not within the normal realm for you, it is imperative that you see a medical professional to catch the problem early.
An Injury
It may surprise you to learn that many people experience accidents such as a fall down the stairs and then wait hours to receive medical treatment simply because they believe any injuries to be minor. Unfortunately, striking your elbow just right during an incident may dislocate, fracture, or strain your elbow and leave you with a number of lasting problems that require medical attention from an expert. A dislocated elbow is certainly a much better problem to have compared to a fractured elbow or worse; however, acting quickly is the true key to minimising discomfort.
Wear and Tear
Many types of injury to the elbow will develop over time rather than occurring quickly and elbow pain treatment for adults is designed to help reduce the risk for continued pain or re-injuring the elbow after the fact. Tennis elbow is a classic example of a wear-and-tear injury to the elbow, and it is a type of tendinitis characterised by swelling in the tendons around the elbow. This problem, caused by overuse of the elbow, will cause pain to develop over time until you may find it difficult to move your arm without great distress. It is better to seek treatment before reaching such a level of pain.
Disease
Arthritis is a particularly common reason for a person to have elbow pain for long periods of time; although this is not reversible, arthritis is certainly treatable using a number of methods. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are particularly likely to affect the elbow joints and leave you with a serious and chronic pain as the years go by, which may continue to grow worse during that time. Treatments are available that reduce swelling, minimise pain, and maximise mobility but it is important to seek medical support as early as possible so that you may avoid unnecessary discomfort.
Call the Doctor
You must call a doctor if you begin to notice any type of problems with your elbow or any other areas of the body, for that matter. Acting quickly is often the best way to keep your discomfort low during treatment. Any elbow pain that will not go away on its own after rest and icing is a problem that you need to have addressed, as well as any intense pain, bruising, or swelling, and it is never too early to visit a professional.