why does my arm hurt?

Elbow pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many common causes of this problem. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. If you have elbow pain, some common causes include: Lateral Epicondylitis - tennis elbow, symptoms being pain over the outside of the joint and difficulty gripping objects, and you don't have to be a tennis player. Medial Epicondylitis - golfer's elbow, causes discomfort around the inner side of the joint, and not just golfers. Olecranon Bursitis is most common behind the elbow joint, swelling and tenderness behind the joint over the bony prominence called the olecranon. Infections of the bursa can complicate the treatment. Tendonitis can occur in any of the tendons that surround the joint, often biceps tendonitis (in front of the joint) and triceps tendonitis (in the back of the joint). Cubital Tunnel Syndrome occurs when there is compression of the ulnar nerve as is wraps around the inside of the joint causing elbow pain, or shooting pains along the forearm and numbness and tingling of the fingers. Radial Tunnel Syndrome is an uncommon condition that causes nerve compression of the radial nerve, often found in people who have lateral epicondylitis, but do not improve. Elbow Fractures can occur abound the elbow after injuries such as falls, sports injuries, and car accidents. The most common elbow fractures are olecranon fractures and radial head fractures. If you are unsure, you should seek medical attention. Treatment of these conditions must be directed at the specific cause of your problem. Some signs that you should be seen by a doctor include: Inability to carry objects or use the arm Injury that causes deformity of the joint Elbow pain that occurs at night or while resting Elbow pain that persists beyond a few days Inability to straighten or flex the arm Swelling or significant bruising around the joint or arm Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth Any other unusual symptoms The treatment of elbow pain depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Not all treatments are appropriate for every condition, but may be helpful in your situation. Rest: The first treatment for many common conditions that cause elbow pain is to rest the joint, and allow the acute inflammation to subside. It is important, however, to use caution when resting the joint, because prolonged immobilization can cause a stiff joint. Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments for elbow pain. Stretching the muscles and tendons that surround the joint can help with some causes of elbow pain. Physical therapy is an important aspect of treatment of almost all orthopedic conditions to increase strength, regain mobility, and help return pre-injury level of activity. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications, commonly referred to as NSAIDs, are some of the most commonly prescribed medications, especially for elbow pain caused by problems such as arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis. Cortisone injectionn are powerful medications that treat inflammation, common problem with elbow pain. Discuss with your doctor the possible benefits of a cortisone injection for your elbow pain condition. Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery is a surgical treatment for relief of some types of symptoms. While not useful for all causes of elbow pain, arthroscopic surgery is a treatment option for several common conditions. http://orthopedics.about.com/od/elbowconditions/a/elbowpain.htm http://www.medicinenet.com/elbow_pain/article.htm