This common injury causes your elbow to break down

If you play sports, like baseball or tennis, or do repetitive arm and elbow movements at work, you may experience one of these elbow injuries. 

Ulnar collateral ligament tear

The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is on the inner side of your elbow and helps stabilize the elbow joint. A UCL tear is treated with UCL reconstruction, better known as Tommy John surgery.

“This surgery uses a tendon graft from your own body,” says Dr. Calvin Luu, a sports medicine physician with Advocate Health Care. “Tommy John surgery and UCL injuries are not very common in the general population. We see the injury more often in high-level baseball players.” 

Lateral epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis, also known as a tennis elbow, is a common elbow injury. Despite the name, most people who develop this injury don’t play tennis. 

Tennis elbow is a condition typically caused by overuse of the tendons and muscles in the forearm. This injury causes the tendon attached to the outside part of your elbow to break down. 

“It’s linked to repetitive motions of the wrist and arm,” says Dr. Luu. “It can make gripping objects or turning keys or doorknobs painful and difficult.” 

Elbow injury prevention and treatment

To help prevent these elbow injuries, Dr. Luu says you should avoid repetitive movements of the wrist and arm, and take breaks if your arm feels sore. He also recommends people warm up and stretch before exercising or doing any repetitive movements with the wrist and arm. 

If you play any racquet sport, you should also make sure your equipment is properly sized for you, Dr. Luu says. 

If you start to notice pain in your elbow or forearms, you can try conservative self-treatments, like icing, pain medications and rest. You should see a health care provider if self-treatment doesn’t ease the pain or if it’s severely affecting your daily activities. 

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