Elbow Pain Specialist

Why do I have elbow pain?

Your elbows have very little in the way of protection from bumps and knocks, so elbow pain often results from injuries to the pointed part of the joint (the olecranon). Inflammation known as bursitis can also develop in the protective sacs of liquid (bursae) in your elbows through overuse.

Although osteoarthritis of the elbow is less common than in the knees, hips, and hands, it’s still a frequent cause of elbow pain. You could also fracture the bones that make up the elbow or damage the ligaments and tendons in the joint.

Two causes of elbow pain that Dr. Flanagan often treats are tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.

What are tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) results from tiny tears in the tendons connecting your forearm bones to your muscles. These tears multiply over time as you repeat the same arm movements, causing chronic elbow pain.

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a similar injury, but whereas tennis elbow affects the inner side of the joint, golfer’s elbow affects the outer side. While both conditions can arise from the repetitive motion of playing tennis or golf, most cases occur in people who don’t play either game.

The first sign of these injuries is aching in the elbow, which steadily becomes more painful. The area may be tender to touch, and you might have problems with gripping and lifting.

How is elbow pain treated?

Mild cases of tennis and golfer’s elbow and other types of elbow pain often respond well to rest and physical therapies. Physical therapy helps you strengthen the connective tissues and muscles in your arm without overstressing the injured tendon as it mends.

In addition, Dr. Flanagan uses regenerative medicine treatments to encourage the damaged tissues to heal. Stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy both use substances harvested from your body that promote natural healing. Injecting stem cells and platelets into your elbow can repair injuries that your body can’t fully heal on its own.

In some cases of persistent elbow pain, patients choose to have treatments like prolotherapy or a steroid injection. Dr. Flanagan uses low-dose steroids to minimize the risk of any adverse effects.

If you’re experiencing pain because of conditions like golfer’s or tennis elbow, call Naples Regenerative Institute today and schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.