An elbow sprain is an injury that occurs when the ligaments surrounding the elbow joint are stretched or torn. It can cause bothersome symptoms such as pain, swelling, and reduced joint mobility.
If you are suffering from an elbow sprain, visiting a chiropractic clinic could be beneficial to relieve your symptoms.
What Is an Elbow Sprain?
Ligaments are short bands of tissue that connect the bones of a joint. They are present, among other places, in the elbow. If you have an elbow sprain, it means that the ligaments around your elbow are stretched or torn.
There are three grades of sprain, which vary according to the severity of the injury:
- Mild sprain (grade I): the ligament is stretched but not torn;
- Moderate sprain (grade II): the ligament is partially torn;
- Severe sprain (grade III): the ligament is completely torn.
An elbow sprain occurs when the elbow joint is pulled, twisted, or bent at an excessive angle. It can happen, for example, after a fall or during sports activity. It causes symptoms such as pain, swelling, and reduced elbow mobility.
What Is the Healing Time for an Elbow Sprain?
The time needed to heal an elbow sprain mainly depends on the severity of the injury. Generally, for mild sprains, healing time can range from a few days to a few weeks. Moderate sprains often require several weeks of recovery. Finally, severe sprains require a prolonged healing time, sometimes several months, as they involve a complete ligament tear.
What Are the Symptoms of an Elbow Sprain?
The most common symptoms of an elbow sprain are pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the elbow normally.
Elbow pain can be felt when touching the joint or moving it. Swelling appears as a puffiness of the tissues near the elbow. Pain and swelling may be accompanied by joint stiffness, meaning it can be difficult to bend or straighten the elbow.
In some sprains, the torn ligament may also bleed under the skin. A bruise (a discoloration) can then appear around the elbow.
What Are the Possible Causes of an Elbow Sprain?
An elbow sprain occurs when the joint is twisted, pulled, or bent excessively, causing stretching or tearing of the ligaments. Falls and sports activities are common circumstances that can cause this elbow injury.
A fall on an outstretched arm, causing excessive stretching or tearing of the elbow ligaments, can cause a sprain. A sudden twist of the elbow, for example while trying to break a fall, is another common cause of this injury.
Elbow sprains are also common in certain sports such as football, tennis, or gymnastics. A fall or collision during sports can cause ligament injuries to the elbow.
Finally, a direct impact to the elbow, such as in a car accident, can also cause a sprain.
Who Are the People at Risk of an Elbow Sprain?
Active people, children and teenagers, older adults, and manual laborers are among those at risk of an elbow sprain. Indeed, these groups are more exposed to the risk of falls or collisions, which can lead to a sprain.
Diagnosis of an Elbow Sprain by a Chiropractor
If you believe you have suffered an elbow sprain, visiting a chiropractic clinic could be beneficial. Chiropractors are trained to make a chiropractic diagnosis and recommend appropriate follow-up care based on your injury.
During the consultation, the chiropractor will start by gathering information about your medical history, lifestyle habits, and the progression of your pain. This interview period, called “anamnestic history,” will help guide their diagnosis.
The chiropractor will then perform a physical exam. They will observe your elbow, palpate the surrounding tissues, and check the range of motion of your joint. They may also perform additional tests such as X-rays or neurological evaluations.
Finally, based on the data collected about your health condition, the chiropractor will formulate a chiropractic diagnosis and recommend appropriate care. If necessary, they will refer you to other healthcare professionals for complementary management.
Chiropractic Treatments to Relieve an Elbow Sprain
Once the diagnosis is established, the chiropractor will suggest chiropractic treatments to reduce the pain and inflammation caused by your sprain and promote the healing of your injury.
Often, the chiropractor will propose spinal and joint manipulations. Performed with great precision, these manipulations aim, among other things, to reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility, and encourage better healing.
The chiropractor might also recommend complementary therapies such as ultrasound therapy, laser therapy, application of ice or heat, and therapeutic taping (also called bandaging).
Finally, as a preventive approach, the chiropractor may provide advice on posture and ergonomics and offer exercises to do at home to strengthen the muscles and improve joint stability.
Consulting a Chiropractor for an Elbow Sprain
If you feel persistent pain, swelling, or reduced mobility in your elbow after a fall or intense sports activity, you may have suffered a sprain.
Chiropractors, including those specialized in sports chiropractic care, can offer personalized treatments to relieve your symptoms and optimize the healing of your injury.
Chiropractors can also help alleviate pain related to various other medical issues such as numbness in the arm or bursitis.
Contact a chiropractic clinic today to get a comprehensive evaluation of your health and regain your well-being.