Many injuries, illnesses, and conditions can cause elbow and shoulder pain, and it’s common to struggle to find relief. Find ease from shoulder or elbow pain at Advanced Pain Medical Group’s locations in Southern California.
Injuries, Fractures, & Other Causes
Your arm pain may be caused by an injury, infection, blood clot, fracture, or even inaction due to illnesses that keep you on bedrest. You may have one condition causing effects in both shoulder and elbow or different conditions causing pain. Whatever the cause, aches in these areas will interrupt your daily routines of work and relaxation.
Common Elbow Conditions
A variety of conditions may be responsible for your elbow pain. The most common of these include:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Dislocations
- Nerve Damage
- Strains Or Sprains
- Tendinitis
Arthritis
Pain, swelling, and stiffness are the usual effects of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which your immune system attacks your joints. Osteoarthritis can break down the cartilage in your elbow, which leads to your bones rubbing together painfully.
Bursitis
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs near your joints. They reduce friction and help you move freely. If the bursae near your elbow are injured or inflamed, you will experience pain and swelling.
Dislocations
A dislocation occurs when a bone is out of place. This can happen during a fall or an accident, and in some cases, due to conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) that affect connective tissue.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage is one of the most common causes of elbow aches. You may have cubital tunnel syndrome if pain or numbness occurs along your inner arm. If you are experiencing pain along the outside of your elbow, it may be caused by radial tunnel syndrome.
Strains Or Sprains
Torn or stretched muscles cause a strain, whereas torn or stretched ligaments cause a sprain. Either of these can result from sports activities or lifting heavy things.
Tendinitis
If you experience elbow pain when lifting, you may have tendinitis. This condition is a result of overworked tendons. You may be familiar with the terms “tennis elbow” (describing pain on the outside of your elbow) or “golfer’s elbow” (pain on the inside of your elbow).
Common Shoulder Conditions
An aching shoulder may be a result of several conditions. The most common are:
- Arthritis
- Frozen Shoulder
- Rotator Cuff Inflammation Or Injury
- Tendinitis
Arthritis
This common ailment will cause aches and stiffness. Many people treat it by simply resting, but inactivity can cause the muscles to become even stiffer. Medications or injections are often required.
Frozen Shoulder
This ailment is often caused by inaction after an injury or a torn tendon. It results in stiffness and pain and can take many months to resolve without medical attention.
Rotator Cuff Inflammation Or Injury
The group of tendons and muscles that anchor your shoulder into its socket and facilitate your shoulder movements is known as the rotator cuff. Tearing or inflammation in this area is the cause of many shoulder problems.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis, mentioned above as an elbow condition, is common in the shoulder and can occur between the elbow and shoulder. One type is calcific tendinitis, caused by calcium deposits in the tendons of the rotator cuff.
Does My Shoulder Pain Indicate A Heart Attack?
According to the Mayo Clinic, you should seek emergency treatment if you have “arm, shoulder, or back pain that comes on suddenly, is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest.”
Treatments For Shoulder & Elbow Pain
With various possible causes, you will need a medical professional to design your treatment plan. Don’t try to tough it out with at-home treatments and short-term solutions when you can find lasting relief. You may need medication, injections, physical therapy, or a combination of all three.
Schedule A Consultation Today
To discover the root cause of your elbow or shoulder pain, schedule a consultation at one of Advanced Pain Medical Group’s eight locations throughout the Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Kern, and Ventura. We will diagnose your condition and prescribe the treatment you need.