What Should I Do If I've Had Elbow Pain for Months?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

If you have elbow pain that persists for months, see a doctor to identify the cause and develop a treatment plan, which may include rest, medication, and targeted exercises.

Explanation

If you've had elbow pain for months, it's important to see a healthcare professional. They can examine your elbow to determine the underlying cause and may recommend resting it and avoiding activities that make the pain worse. Common treatments for elbow pain include applying ice and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling. Physical therapy or specific exercises, guided by a professional, can also strengthen the elbow muscles and promote recover. Work closely with your healthcare provider to select treatments tailored to your specific case, allowing for a gradual and safe return to your daily activities.

(References)

Pattanittum P, Turner T, Green S, Buchbinder R. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating lateral elbow pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 May 31;2013(5):CD003686. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003686.pub2. PMID: 23728646; PMCID: PMC7173751.
Lin KM, Ellenbecker TS, Safran MR. Rehabilitation and Return to Sport Following Elbow Injuries. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil. 2022 Mar 5;4(3):e1245-e1251. doi: 10.1016/j.asmr.2022.01.012. PMID: 35747663; PMCID: PMC9210377.
Karjalainen TV, Ponkilainen V, Chong A, Johnston RV, Le TLA, Lähdeoja TA, Buchbinder R. Glucocorticoid injections for lateral elbow pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Sep 6;2022(9):CD001978. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001978.pub2. PMCID: PMC9446381.

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