Health & Wellness
Athletic
Elbow Pain in San Diego, CA
Elbow pain can reduce your mobility and cause daily discomfort. Simple tasks like lifting objects or even bending your arm can become challenging. If you’re experiencing these issues, it’s important to seek effective treatment.
At Sports MedSpa in San Diego, CA, we offer treatments like PRP and steroid injections to help bring you more pain-free days. These treatments can reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort so you can get back to your daily activities. As a physician-owned sports and aesthetics practice, your well-being is at the center of each treatment we provide.
Types of Elbow Pain
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition that causes pain on the outer part of your elbow. This pain can make it difficult to grip objects or perform simple tasks.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
If you’re feeling discomfort on the inside of your elbow, medial epicondylitis could be the culprit. Commonly known as golfer’s elbow, it results from overusing your forearm muscles. Activities like lifting or swinging can intensify the inner elbow pain associated with this condition.
Olecranon Bursitis
Swelling and tenderness at the back of your elbow might indicate olecranon bursitis. This inflammation of the bursa at the elbow tip can result from prolonged pressure, trauma, or infection, making it painful to bend the joint.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Do you experience tingling or numbness in your ring and little fingers? This could be cubital tunnel syndrome, where the ulnar nerve is compressed at the elbow. Keeping your elbow bent for long periods, such as when talking on the phone, can exacerbate this type of elbow pain.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
Pain along your forearm and elbow, coupled with hand and wrist weakness, might point to radial tunnel syndrome. This condition is due to pressure on the radial nerve, which can make everyday tasks requiring wrist movement particularly challenging.
Elbow Arthritis
When the cartilage in your elbow wears down, elbow arthritis can develop, leading to pain in the elbow joint. Stiffness, swelling, and a limited range of motion are typical symptoms, making even simple actions like turning a doorknob painful.
What Causes Elbow Pain?
- Repetitive Motion and Overuse: Activities that involve repetitive arm and wrist movements can lead to elbow pain. This overuse strains the tendons and muscles, causing inflammation and discomfort.
- Acute Injuries: Sudden injuries, such as falls or direct blows to the elbow, are common sources of elbow pain. These injuries can result in fractures, dislocations, or ligament damage.
- Age-Related Degeneration: As we age, the cartilage in our joints can wear down. This degeneration often leads to stiffness and chronic pain in the elbow.
- Autoimmune Conditions: Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause the immune system to attack the elbow joint. This results in inflammation, swelling, and persistent pain.
- Nerve Compression: Conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome involve the compression of nerves around the elbow, causing pain in the elbow. This can also lead to numbness and tingling in the fingers.
- Poor Ergonomics: Incorrect posture or ergonomics, especially during activities like typing or lifting, can strain the elbow. Over time, this can lead to discomfort and pain.
Our Elbow Pain Treatments
PRP Joint Injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) joint injections are an elbow pain treatment that uses the capabilities your body already has to heal. During the treatment, we draw a small amount of your blood, process it to concentrate the platelets, and inject it into the affected elbow joint. The growth factors in PRP can help accelerate tissue repair and reduce inflammation. This non-invasive option promotes natural healing and improves joint function.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are another elbow pain treatment that reduces inflammation and provides quick relief from pain. By directly injecting corticosteroids into the affected area, we target the inflammation causing your elbow pain. This treatment can help alleviate symptoms of tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, arthritis, and more. Steroid injections provide patients with a non-surgical option for managing their discomfort and can be long-lasting while allowing you to return to your daily activities with less pain.
FAQs About Our Elbow Pain Treatments
What Should I Expect During My First Visit?
During your first visit for elbow joint pain treatment, expect an evaluation of your condition. We will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and perform a physical examination of your elbow. Diagnostic tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, may be recommended to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain. Based on this assessment, we will create a treatment plan personalized for you.
How Long Does Elbow Pain Treatment Last?
Each treatment is different. PRP injections involve a series of treatments spaced a few weeks apart, with each session lasting about an hour. Steroid injections might provide relief for several months. Our goal is to provide sustained relief and healing, and we will monitor your progress to adjust the treatment plan as needed for optimal results.
How Soon Can I Expect to Have Relief From Elbow Pain?
You can expect relief from elbow pain treatment within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the specific treatment used. Steroid injections often provide rapid relief, with many patients experiencing significant improvement within a few days. PRP injections might take longer to show benefits, as the body needs time to respond to the regenerative properties of the treatment. However, the relief from PRP can be long-lasting, as it promotes healing.
Are There Any Activity Restrictions After Elbow Pain Treatments?
After elbow joint pain treatment, we may recommend that you avoid strenuous activities that could aggravate your condition. Following PRP injections, you might need to limit heavy lifting and repetitive elbow movements. After steroid injections, rest is also advised to allow the medication to work effectively. We will provide specific post-treatment instructions to promote a smooth and effective recovery.
Get Effective Relief From Elbow Pain in San Diego
Effective elbow pain treatments can improve your quality of life by reducing discomfort and enhancing mobility. At Sports MedSpa in San Diego, CA, we offer solutions like PRP and steroid injections to address various elbow conditions. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call us at (619) 630-9227 or contact us through our online form.