Your elbow is a complex joint that plays a vital role in your daily activities. It’s made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and nerves working together to allow you to bend, straighten and rotate your arm. Your elbow joint connects your upper arm to your forearm as a hinge joint, primarily allowing for flexion and extension. However, your elbow also allows you some rotation due to a pivot joint between the radius and ulna. The surrounding tendons, muscles and ligaments work together to stabilize the joint and enable smooth movement.
When you experience burning pain in your elbow, it can have a significant impact on your ability to do everyday activities. The good news is that there are a variety of ways to help manage the underlying issue causing your burning elbow pain, including physical therapy.
Potential causes of burning pain in the elbow
Several conditions can lead to burning pain in your elbow, including common culprits:
- Cervical radiculopathy — Cervical radiculopathy is a pinched nerve root in the neck. This nerve compression can cause burning pain, numbness, tingling and weakness that radiates down the arm, including through the elbow.
- Tennis elbow — Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow. Repetitive motions, such as gripping or swinging like a tennis player, can cause these tendons to become inflamed. Inflammation can cause burning pain, tenderness and weakness in the forearm.
- Golfer’s elbow — Golfer’s elbow is another term for medial epicondylitis, which affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. Activities that involve repetitive gripping or flexing the wrist can irritate these tendons, causing burning pain and discomfort in the elbow.
- Olecranon bursitis — Olecranon bursitis is a condition involving inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sac, or bursa, located at the tip of the elbow. Repetitive pressure, injury or underlying conditions like arthritis can cause bursitis. Symptoms of bursitis can include burning pain, swelling and tenderness in the elbow.
- Rheumatoid arthritis — Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple joints, including the elbow. It causes inflammation of the joint lining, which can cause burning pain, stiffness, swelling and a decreased range of motion.
- Osteoarthritis — Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects the cartilage in the elbow joint. It can cause burning pain, stiffness and decreased mobility over time.
- Ligament pain — A ligament sprain is an injury to the ligaments in the elbow joint. This injury can be caused by a sudden force or overstretching and can cause burning pain, swelling, instability and limited movement.
- Nerve entrapment — The ulnar nerve runs through the elbow. When this nerve becomes entrapped, it results in cubital tunnel syndrome; this condition can cause pain and a burning sensation that radiates from the elbow down into the wrist and hand. The radial nerve also runs through the arm. This nerve can become squeezed along the arm and cause pain and sensory or movement issues. When it becomes compressed in the radial tunnel, it’s known as radial tunnel syndrome.
- Stress fracture — A stress fracture can occur in the elbow when frequent or sudden forceful movements cause a tiny crack in the bone. It can also happen if the bone is weakened due to osteoporosis.
These are some examples of conditions that can cause burning elbow pain. However, there could be other factors that may be contributing to your symptoms. If your pain persists or gets worse, it’s important to consult with a health care professional for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Physical therapy treatment options for conditions that can cause burning elbow pain
After determining the underlying issue causing your burning elbow pain, a physical therapist can create a personalized treatment program using a variety of effective techniques that can help treat it. Some physical therapy methods your physical therapist may use include:
- Joint mobilization — Joint mobilization is a type of manual therapy that involves gentle, controlled movements applied to your elbow joint to help improve range of motion, reduce stiffness and alleviate pain. By carefully mobilizing your elbow joint, your physical therapist can help restore your normal movement patterns and reduce stress on affected tissue.
- Graston Technique® — The Graston Technique is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization and manual therapy technique. This technique uses specialized stainless steel tools to help break down scar tissue and adhesions. It can help improve blood flow, reduce inflammation and restore normal tissue function. By addressing these underlying issues, this technique can help alleviate elbow pain and improve mobility.
- Dry needling — Dry needling is a technique that should only be used by certified practitioners. A certified practitioner manually inserts thin, sterile needles into specific points in the muscle to help release tension and trigger points. Dry needling can help reduce pain, improve muscle function and promote healing by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes.
- Sports performance — For athletes or those with an active lifestyle, sports performance physical therapy can focus on strengthening the muscles around your elbow, improving flexibility and boosting neuromuscular control. This can help you prevent reinjury, improve performance and manage pain more effectively.
- Therapeutic exercises — Depending on your underlying issue, your physical therapist may recommend a customized exercise program to help strengthen the muscles around your elbow. These exercises can also improve flexibility and restore range of motion. Exercises may include using resistance bands, isometric exercises and functional movements to address your specific needs and goals.
This is just a glimpse into the many treatment options a physical therapist can use to address the underlying cause of your burning elbow pain. Your physical therapist will tailor your specific treatment plan based on your individual needs and condition.
Your path to relief from burning elbow pain can start with choosing Forever Fit
At Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness, we’re dedicated to helping you overcome the challenge of burning elbow pain that can interfere with your daily life. Our experienced team of physical therapists is committed to always offering personalized treatment plans tailored to meet your unique needs. From joint mobilization to therapeutic exercises, we use a comprehensive approach to address the root cause of your elbow pain to help restore your function. With our compassionate care, we can help you regain the ability to enjoy your favorite activities.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.