Therapy

The therapy is different and depends on the respective disease. For fractures of the elbow, a conservative therapy can be chosen, consisting of pain treatment and immobilization, or a surgical therapy can be chosen, using screws, plates or nails. In case of arthrotic changes, a conservative approach is usually preferred.

In case of involved nerves it may be necessary to relieve the compressed nerves surgically. Pain in the elbow caused by overstrain (tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow) should be treated by not playing the triggering sport for a while. Furthermore, the pain should be treated symptomatically with cold application or pain medication.

Many forms of pain in the elbow are harmless and subside by themselves after a short time. In case of muscular causes, bandages or ointment bandages are often sufficient to relieve the pain. If a bone fracture is present or the joint has been severely injured, in some cases an operation must be performed to straighten the bones again.

Even if the elbow has been subjected to unusually heavy strain for a few days, the pain usually subsides of its own accord. This is often an acute, moderately severe pain, for example, tennis elbow, which can be relieved by a few days of immobilization. The pain and inflammation can be inhibited with anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetylsalicylic acid or diclofenac.

However, this should not be a permanent medication, but should only be used in the acute phase. If the joint is painful, cortisone-containing medication or local anesthetics can be injected into the joint space. If chronic elbow pain exists, a hospital stay may be necessary.

There, a brachial plexus anesthesia can be performed. This involves the interruption of the large nerve plexus in the armpit area, which blocks the transmission of pain. By means of arthroscopy, some causes of joint pain can be eliminated.

In more severe cases, an artificial joint replacement may be necessary if the joint is too worn out. In any case, physiotherapy, heat or cold treatments, muscle training, electrotherapy or ultrasound therapy and orthopedic aids can be used. Which form of therapy is appropriate should be decided by a doctor in the case of long-term complaints in order to achieve a successful therapy.