As the peak of the summer holiday season approaches, we’re seeing growing numbers of people with elbow injuries caused by playing sport.
It’s no fun to spend the summer months with your arm in a cast or taking medication to manage the pain of an elbow injury.
So, in this article, we look at common sporting injuries of the elbow and consider whether there is anything you can do to prevent yourself getting injured when playing summer sports.
Types of elbow injuries
Orthopaedic surgeons categorise elbow injuries into:
- Traumatic injuries caused by some kind of fall, collision or heavy impact (fractures, ligament tears and dislocations fall into this category)
- And overuse injuries caused by making repeated movements which places the joints under stress and can result in damage.
Both types of injury are commonly associated with playing sport. You can be particularly at risk of elbow injuries if you play tennis, squash, golf and racquetball, as well as sports that involve throwing such as baseball or rounders. Weightlifters are also prone to elbow damage.
Understanding your elbow structure
The elbow is a hinge joint that connects the radius and ulna of the forearm and the humerus of the upper arm. The bones are held in place by the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inside of the elbow and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) on the outside of the elbow. When you damage your elbow, you can also damage the nerves around the joint.
If not treated properly, such damage can lead to lasting problems with the muscles of the fingers, hand, wrist and forearm.
Common elbow injuries in sport
Some of the injuries we see most commonly among sportsmen and women include:
- Tennis elbow – Also called lateral epicondylitis, this is one of the most frequently seen elbow injuries. It is a form of tendinitis caused by overusing the wrist and arm. This results in irritation to the muscles in the forearm which attach to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. This causes pain which can spread into the wrist and forearm. You may find it difficult to grip an object or turn a doorknob. Treatments are focussed on improving blood flow to the area to promote healing, and includes physiotherapy, dry needling or in some cases, surgery.
- Golfer’s elbow – Also called medial epicondylitis, this is also a type of tendinitis that affects the inside of the elbow joint resulting in pain, weakness and tingling in the hand. It is caused by damage to the muscles and tendons that control the wrist and fingers, which may be due to repeated throwing or hitting or poor technique. Treatment is very similar to tennis elbow.
- Ulnar nerve entrapment – The ulnar nerve passes through a tight passage around the elbow. If the nerve becomes inflamed, or the passage becomes narrowed over time, it can become entrapped, causing intense pain in the elbow with tingling and numbness in the little finger. If the condition is not treated earlier on it can progress to cause weakness in the hand.
- Biceps tendon rupture – This is when the biceps muscle tears as the result of a traumatic injury or repetitive strain injury. It is most common in people who do heavy lifting.
- Dislocated elbow – This is a serious injury which is normally the result of falling onto an outstretched or extended arm. It occurs when the bones in the elbow joint are forced out of alignment, causing severe pain and distortion of the joint. Your elbow may be partially or totally dislocated. In more complex cases it is associated with a fracture around the elbow or a torn ligament.The condition is very painful and requires immediate hospital treatment. X-rays are taken before and after manipulation of the joint. Most patients with an associated fracture will need surgery. However, even if there is no fracture, careful assessment is required a few days later as you may also need surgery to reattach torn ligaments.
- Fractured elbow – A fracture often causes severe pain and swelling as well as deformity of the elbow joint. Elbow fractures are common and the need for surgery is usually determined by the position of the break and how far the bone ends are apart. A decision either to operate or allow movement should be made within the first two to three weeks to prevent stiffness setting in.
- Ligament injuries – Most ligament injuries occur due to a elbow dislocation. Some sports men and women, particularly those who throw balls, can damage their medial (or ulnar) collateral ligament (UCL) due to the repetitive movements of their sport. This causes pain on the inside of the elbow and decreased throwing power. The injury can range in severity from minor inflammation to a complete tear, which would require reconstructive surgery.
Preventing elbow injuries
If you are participating in sports this summer, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing an elbow injury:
- Warm up properly before you play and cool down thoroughly afterwards using stretching exercises.
- Have coaching to ensure you are using good technique.
- Ask your coach to recommend exercises to build up muscle strength.
- Don’t push yourself too hard or too fast, particularly if you are unaccustomed to competing regularly.
- Allow your muscles to rest and recover between games.
If you are concerned about an elbow injury, contact us for a diagnosis and treatment advice.
Orthopaedic Consultant & Surgeon | London
Thames Shoulder & Elbow are able to provide advice and support to anyone experiencing symptoms affecting the upper limbs (shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm and wrist).
Telephone: 020 376 15987
Email: admin@thamesshoulderandelbow.co.uk
Our Locations
Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, St John’s Wood – Directions
BMI The Syon Clinic, Brentford – Directions
HCA Chiswick Medical Centre, Chiswick – Directions
West Middlesex University Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Foundation Trust, Isleworth – Directions
