Elbow pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, with lateral and medial epicondylitis being the most common, especially for those of us who love to push ourselves in sports. In fact, research has shown that nearly 50% of tennis players experience elbow pain at some point in their careers
That’s why we will show you how to use this elbow pain diagnosis chart, identify each and every pain part and symptoms, and diagnose potential elbow pain problems.
What is Elbow Pain ?
Elbow pain diagnosis charts are for you and your doctor. They help you match the location of your pain with the problem.
Elbow pain is a common problem that can come from many activities and conditions. For example lateral elbow pain comes from repetitive motion or overuse, especially in activities like tennis and leads to tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis.
This condition is pain on the outside of the elbow due to tendon overuse especially in activities that involve gripping and twisting.
On the other hand medial elbow pain can come from ulnar collateral ligament injuries, common in throwing sports. This leads to medial epicondylitis or golfer’s elbow which is pain on the inside of the elbow due to similar overuse issues.
Note that repetitive motion activities can cause both lateral and medial epicondylitis.
Interestingly, elbow pain doesn’t always come from the elbow itself. Problems in the neck such as cervical radiculopathy can cause elbow pain and symptoms of weakness and numbness, often misdiagnosed as elbow problem.
Studies have shown that many patients with cervical radiculopathy have symptoms of tennis elbow, that’s a significant connection between the two.
Elbow Pain Diagnosis Chart with Locations
Our helpful visual guide for diagnosing elbow pain is an elbow pain location chart. Inner elbow pain is for medial epicondylitis and cubital tunnel syndrome. Outer elbow pain is for lateral epicondylitis or radial tunnel syndrome.
Pain at the back of the elbow is often for triceps tendonitis or olecranon bursitis. Front elbow pain is for biceps tendonitis and can cause a deep aching sensation in that area.
Localized swelling at the elbow is for bursitis or tendonitis, while generalized swelling is for joint related condition like synovitis.
Here’s how to use this elbow pain diagnosis chart:
Locate Your Pain
Start by identifying the exact location of your elbow pain. Is it on the inside, outside, front, or back of the elbow? The chart is divided into specific sections based on these areas.
Match the Symptoms
Look for symptoms that match your condition. This may include swelling, stiffness, or pain during specific movements. Our elbow pain diagnosis chart provides common symptoms for different types of elbow issues.
Find the Possible Causes
Once you’ve matched your symptoms, follow the chart to see potential causes, such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, bursitis, or ligament strain.
This visual will be a huge help when explaining your symptoms to medical professionals.
1. Lateral (Outer) Pain Diagram
Lateral elbow pain is associated with conditions like lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow. This is overuse of the forearm muscles that causes pain on the outside of the elbow. Another cause is radial nerve entrapment where compression of the radial nerve causes pain and weakness in the wrist and hand.
Other conditions that can affect the outside of the elbow are osteoarthritis which causes joint degeneration and pain and stiffness. Lateral collateral ligament injuries can cause pain and instability and radial head fractures can cause severe pain and dysfunction.
2. Medial (Inner) Pain Diagram
Medial elbow pain points to conditions like medial epicondylitis or golfer’s elbow which is inflammation of the tendons on the inside of the elbow due to repetitive wrist flexion. Another common condition is ulnar nerve entrapment where compression of the ulnar nerve causes pain, tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers.
Also flexor tendon injuries, strains or tears in the tendons can cause localized pain. Medial collateral ligament injuries can also cause pain and instability in the inner elbow.
Fractures of the olecranon the bony prominence of the elbow can cause pain and swelling.
3. Posterior (Back) Pain Diagram
Pain at the back of the elbow is associated with conditions like olecranon bursitis which is inflammation of the bursa at the elbow that causes swelling and pain. Another common condition is triceps tendonitis where inflammation of the triceps tendon causes pain during elbow extension.
Posterior impingement syndrome can also cause pain during elbow extension due to mechanical impingement of structures at the back of the elbow.
Fractures of the olecranon can cause severe pain and dysfunction making diagnosis and treatment of posterior elbow pain more complicated.
4. Anterior (Front) Pain Diagram
Pain in the front of the elbow can be caused by conditions like biceps tendonitis where inflammation of the biceps tendon causes pain especially during lifting. A more severe condition is distal biceps rupture where the biceps tendon tears at the elbow and causes sudden pain and weakness.
As you can see, injuries to the joint capsule can also cause pain and swelling in the anterior region. Elbow joint arthritis where degenerative changes in the joint can cause pain and stiffness. Fractures of the coronoid process a part of the elbow joint can cause pain and instability.
General Causes
Elbow pain can be caused by general conditions. Fractures of the humerus, radius or ulna are common and can cause severe pain and dysfunction. Dislocations of the elbow joint can also cause acute pain and swelling so it’s important to address these injuries early.
Physical Examination Techniques
A physical exam is essential in diagnosing elbow pain.
This involves a step by step approach including inspection, palpation, range of motion tests, motor strength assessment and stability checks.
Inspection and Palpation
Inspection is looking for deformities, swelling or muscle wasting around the joint. Patients with elbow effusion usually hold their elbow flexed at 70-80 degrees and swelling creates a soft spot at the confluence of the radial head, lateral epicondyle and olecranon.
Moreover, palpation is checking for tenderness along the bony landmarks and soft tissues such as the medial and lateral epicondyles, olecranon and surrounding areas.
Range of Motion Tests
Range of motion tests assess the function of the elbow joint. Normal flexion is 140-150° and extension is 0-10°. Pronation and supination should also be evaluated with the shoulder adducted and the elbow flexed to 90°.
Of course, both active and passive movements should be included to evaluate joint function accurately. Pain during movement can help to differentiate between various types of elbow pathology.
Special Diagnostic Tests
Special tests are important in diagnosing conditions causing elbow pain. These tests include the elbow flexion test for cubital tunnel syndrome and Tinel’s sign for ulnar nerve irritation.
Ligament Integrity Tests
Assessing the integrity of the ulnar collateral ligament is important especially for throwing athletes. Valgus stress test and Moving Valgus Stress Test are reliable tests for this ligament.
The Milking maneuver is another specific test for ulnar collateral ligament integrity.
Neurological Tests
Neurological tests evaluate nerve function around the elbow. These tests diagnose nerve compression or irritation. For example, assessing ulnar neuropathy involves looking for symptoms of tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers.
Testing wrist extension and grip strength can also assess the posterior interosseous nerve.
Imaging for Elbow Pain
Of course, imaging is important in diagnosing elbow pain. Lateral and antero-posterior x-rays identify fractures and alignment issues in the elbow. MRI is for various elbow conditions, both acute and subtle chronic conditions.
Meanwhile, MRI gives a wide view of the elbow problems, looking at bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
Specific MRI sequences like fat-saturated T2-weighted images can differentiate between different types of soft tissue injuries like tendinopathy and ligament tears.
Treatment Options
Several treatments are available for elbow pain. Steroid injections can give temporary relief but can weaken tendons and increase the risk of rupture with long term use.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses the patient’s own concentrated blood components to promote tissue regeneration and has shown good results for elbow pain.
In fact, studies show that over 50% of individuals with elbow pain find relief through early intervention. Sounds good, right?
Studies show that both PRP and Shockwave Therapy can improve pain and function in patients with tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses high energy sound waves to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation.
Differential Diagnosis
Differentiating between various conditions that cause elbow pain is important in diagnosis and treatment. Conditions like primary osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and olecranon bursitis can have overlapping symptoms.
Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow is a common condition that can cause lateral elbow pain and often mistaken with other conditions.
However, diagnosis is important as treatment is different between tennis elbow caused by overuse and that caused by cervical spine issues. Special tests can help differentiate between conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome and lateral epicondylitis by looking at symptoms and function.
Associated Symptoms and Conditions
Elbow pain often comes with associated symptoms that can help diagnose the underlying condition. For example, neurological symptoms like tingling or numbness may indicate nerve involvement. The type and frequency of physical activities can give clues to the cause of elbow pain.
Ask the patient if there are activities that worsen the pain. Knowing previous injuries or recurrent pain is important in taking a comprehensive history. These associated symptoms and conditions are key in diagnosing and treating elbow pain.
Conclusion
It’s frustrating when you have that nagging pain that prevents you from doing the things you love. First, knowing the causes, asking the right questions, check our elbow pain diagnosis chart and a thorough physical examination are all good steps.
But for now, don’t let the pain last any longer. You deserve to feel good again! Whether it’s physical therapy, PRP, or other options, treating your elbow pain now means you can get back to your favorite activities without that nagging pain.
