Pain in the elbow, forearm, or hand – Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Causes:

• Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): Pain on the outside of the elbow, often radiating down the forearm, worsened by gripping or wrist extension.
• Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow): Pain on the inside of the elbow, often radiating down the forearm, worsened by gripping or wrist flexion.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve at the wrist, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand, especially the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, causing pain, numbness, and tingling in the little finger and ring finger.
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: Affects tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain with gripping and thumb movement.
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the elbow, wrist, or hand joints.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation of tendons in the arm or hand.
• Fractures/Dislocations: Injuries to the bones in the arm or hand.
• Ganglion Cyst: A noncancerous, fluid-filled lump that can develop on tendons or joints, sometimes causing pain.

Diagnosis:

• Physical Exam: Assessing range of motion, tenderness, and specific movements that reproduce the pain.
• Patient History: Gathering information about the onset, duration, nature of the pain, and any related injuries or activities.
• Imaging: X-rays to rule out fractures or arthritis. MRI scans may be used to visualize soft tissues.
• Nerve Conduction Studies: To assess nerve function in cases of suspected carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome.

Treatment:

• Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate the pain.
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication.
• Ice/Heat: Applying ice or heat to the affected area.
• Splinting/Bracing: To immobilize the wrist or elbow and promote healing.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
• Injections: Corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
• Surgery: May be necessary in some cases, such as carpal tunnel release or tendon repair.

Important Considerations:

• Consult a healthcare professional for persistent or severe pain.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are important.