A fractured bone or a strained muscle can make it pretty easy to tell what’s causing stiffness, pain or swelling in your elbow joint. But if you don’t have an obvious injury in or around your elbow, it may be difficult to figure out what’s causing your restricted range of motion.
Your elbow is an integral part of your body, and if you can’t fully bend or straighten it, it can make it much more difficult for you to complete tasks such as:
- Typing
- Driving
- Cooking
- Manual labor
If you’re suffering from restricted movement in your elbow not due to an obvious injury, there are other possibilities. Let’s explore some common causes of elbow stiffness without injury and how you can treat those conditions.
Possible causes of elbow stiffness without injury
Stress injuries are common in the elbow area, and they don’t always occur after an obvious injury. Overuse can create excess stress on the joint or tissue surrounding it, and over time, it can cause pain or limited mobility. Here are some common causes of limited elbow mobility:
- Bursitis — Bursae are small sacs in the body that cushion bones, tendons and muscles near joints. If a bursa in your elbow becomes inflamed, it can lead to bursitis, causing swelling, pain and tenderness that may limit your ability to bend or straighten your elbow fully.
- Tennis elbow — Soreness or pain that occurs on the outside part of the elbow without any obvious injury may be tennis elbow. This is a type of tendinopathy that specifically affects the elbow and is often caused by overusing muscles. Sports or professions that require repetitive movement may increase the risk of tennis elbow.
- Golfer’s elbow — Golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis elbow, but it affects the inner part of the elbow instead. If someone has golfer’s elbow, they may experience pain on the inside of their elbow when they attempt to straighten their arm. They may also feel numbness, tingling or stiffness in the elbow. Golfer’s elbow tends to affect many of the same sports or professions as tennis elbow — it just occurs in a different part of the elbow.
- Ulnar nerve entrapment — Also referred to as cubital tunnel syndrome, this condition occurs when the nerve that connects the neck to the hand becomes constricted or irritated. This compression commonly occurs behind the inside part of the elbow and can also cause numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers.
- Elbow osteoarthritis — This condition is a type of arthritis that often occurs due to age and genetics. The breaking down and wearing away the protective cartilage over the bones in the elbow can cause this condition. Elbow osteoarthritis may result in pain, stiffness and reduced mobility in the elbow joint. If you have this condition, you may experience pain that is worse in the morning but improves throughout the day.
- Autoimmune conditions — Diseases that affect the immune system can also cause inflammation in the elbow. These conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus and other autoimmune diseases. If someone is dealing with inflammation from a chronic condition, they may experience inflammation in specific joints, such as the elbow.
If you aren’t sure what might be causing your difficulty straightening or bending your elbow, talk to your health care provider to see if they can diagnose your condition. Knowing what’s causing your discomfort may make it easier to treat properly.
Possible treatments for elbow stiffness without injury
If you’re looking for relief from elbow pain or stiffness, there are some treatments that may be able to reduce those symptoms:
- Rest — Give your elbow a break from repetitive movements for a while. Trying to power through things like typing or intensive sports may only aggravate your elbow even more.
- Medication — Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen may help with inflammation in your elbow and provide temporary pain relief. Make sure to follow the instructions on the bottle regarding dosage.
- Ice — An ice pack applied to your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes at a time several times a day may be able to bring you some relief and help with swelling and inflammation.
- Stretching — Gentle stretching exercises done regularly may help with stiffness and lack of mobility. However, be careful not to overdo it, since overuse can aggravate your injury instead of helping it.
- Brace — Your health care provider may suggest using a brace temporarily. A brace can reduce stress on your elbow and provide support to help you move properly.
- Physical therapy — If your injury persists, your health care provider may recommend physical therapy, a natural and effective option for treating all kinds of musculoskeletal issues. Your physical therapist can show you specific exercises, stretches and other treatments to target your specific pain or stiffness.
Regaining full mobility in your elbow can take time. It’s important to seek the right treatment and diagnosis for your injury.
Our physical therapists at REPAIR SI are well versed in a variety of physical therapy treatments that can help you regain your range of motion and get you back to the activities that you love. If you’re ready to start addressing your elbow stiffness and immobility, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.