How does elbow pain develop?
Eighty percent of chronic elbow pain is due to a sprain of the annular ligament, whose job it is to attach the radius bone to the ulnar bone. Because of the tremendous demands placed on the fingers and hands to perform repetitive tasks, the annular ligament is stressed every day and will eventually become lax and a source of chronic pain. Chronic elbow pain can also be caused by an ulnar collateral ligament sprain. This ligament supports the inside of the elbow and is responsible for holding the ulnar bone to the distal end of the humerus. Other causes of elbow pain include tendonitis, which can occur as a result of activities such as gardening, playing baseball, using a screwdriver or overusing the wrist. Young children may develop “nursemaid’s elbow,” which happens when someone pulls on their straightened arm. The bones are stretched apart momentarily and a ligament slips in between, where it becomes trapped when the bones try to snap back into place. Other causes of elbow pain inclu
