Introduction
Elbow joint pain and popping, the cracking sound that sometimes accompany it can be quite discouraging and man may/sometimes can experience different feelings ranging from disappointment to fear. These sensations are mostly felt by athletes or any other individual who performs motions that involve repetitive actions but it may also develop at any given time while performing regular tasks. So, with the help of this information, a patient will be able to easier identify the proper therapy for the elbow joint pain. In this blog, you will be provided with the information about the construction of the bone, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this condition for your efficient handling of the situation.
Anatomy of the Elbow
To effectively prevent and treat elbow joint pain and popping, one needs to understand the structure of the elbow joint. The elbow is a common hinge joint with involvement of three bones, the Scapula which is the upper arm bone or Humerus, the Radius, and the Ulna both of which are the forearm bones. These are further surrounded by ligaments, tendons, and muscles that provide flexibility and control for this joint to achieve the intended movements. Any alteration with these structures can result in making it hard to lift the arm without pain thus affecting activities such as lifting, carrying, or typing.
Causes of Elbow Joint Pain
Elbow joint pain and popping can result from several conditions such as overuse injury, arthritis and traumatic injury among others. For instance, excessive use, often as a result of practice in sports or doing physical work that use the wrist, can cause tennis or golfer elbow, which is a tender condition where the tendons are overworked and acquire a painful state. Arthritis is another possible cause of elbow joint pain most especially osteoarthritis in which the cartilage in the elbow wears out eventually leading to friction between the bones.
Causes of Elbow Joint Popping
Some people have a normal feeling of elbow joint popping without it causing any discomfort, it may be a sign of another problem at other times. The crackling sound may be produced even when the tendons slip over the bone or when the gas bubbles within the joint fluid formed suddenly do the same. In more severe conditions, the causes of elbow joint popping could be due to free floating cartilage or even bones within the joint which will definitely need the attention of a physician. Bone displacement or snapped ligament are also other causes of elbow joint pains and the sound produced is called popping.
Symptoms Associated with Elbow Joint Pain and Popping
Joint pain and crepitation, other symptoms may be present such as inflammation, limited range of motion, stiffness and muscle atrophy. There are also long-term consequences of pain in the elbow joint if pain is experienced for a long period of time, people should be careful of other symptoms.
They also point towards inflammation or injury of the joint they are pointing towards. Shooting may be felt down the arm to the wrist and, rarely but more seriously into the hand.
Diagnostic Approaches
If you are now struggling with constant elbow joint pain and popping, going through a medical checkup is the best way to find relief for your health issue.In most of the cases, X-rays, MRI or ultrasound are the common imaging tests used to diagnose any crack, strain, or other distortions that can cause elbow joint pain and popping. It may be required that blood tests be carried out for indications of infections or inflammatory processes such as arthritis.
Treatment Options
All causes of elbow joint pain and popping do not require surgery because there are many non-surgical approaches that may be effective. A joint should be lighter and no loads or activities that put pressure on it should be allowed. Oral administration of analgesics such as non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and application of icing to the affected region assists in inflammation. In cases of elbow joint pains and to minimize occurrences of a popping sound, the doctors resort to this to strengthen the muscles around the elbow as well as improve flexibility. For the same reasons steroids may also be used in injections especially when the situation has gotten out of hand.
Surgical treatment of elbow joint pain and cracking can be managed conservatively but if it doesn’t respond then the doctor may advise surgery. Arthroscopy is a common surgical procedure to remove the loose bits in the joint or repair the torn ligaments. But if the elbow joint is badly damaged or the patient has arthritis then elbow replacement surgery will be needed. Elbow joint surgery is usually done when the pain is severe or it’s affecting the patient’s life.
When to Seek Medical Help for Elbow Pain Popping
Elbow joint pain and popping, progressively gets worse or is associated with features such as swelling, bruising and numbness. On some occasions, the elbow pain may point towards a serious condition like tendon tear, fracture or arthritis, thus the need to seek the help of a doctor. This means that if one chooses to stay away from professional treatment then it will take him or her a long time to heal, or else maybe he or she will end up suffering from severe pain or maybe he or she will not be in a position to bend his or her joints, this means that the quality of his or her life will drastically change. Pain is just a body’s warning sign that something is wrong and failure to address the problem leads to worsening of symptoms and possibly long term effects. Another reason for seeking medical attention is if the elbow becomes frozen or if you develop a swelling or change in the shape of the joint.
Conclusion
The occasional elbow joint pain and popping that accompanies it is not bad, but pains around the elbow joint should in ordinary circumstances be of much concern as it may be as a result of some disorder. Proper management involves getting adequate rest, proper handling and either physical therapy or surgery depending on the situation hence eradicating the problem at this stage to avert such complications that may limit even full functionality of the elbow joint. In case elbow discomfort is consistent, it will be appropriate to seek professional advice or that of a trainer. Dr. J, M. D is a professional and qualified to diagnose and offer treatment for joint conditions and the team consists of professional and experienced people who have specialized in orthopedics, especially dealing with elbow problems. MENZ Clinic deals with cases through physical therapy and other general procedures and not surgeries.
