Elbow Pain
Interventional Pain Management serving San Antonio, TX
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Elbow Pain services offered in San Antonio, TX
Elbow pain can make simple tasks like gripping a coffee cup or turning a doorknob surprisingly difficult. At South Texas Pain Institute in San Antonio, Texas, Shyam Purswani, MD, evaluates your elbow pain to pinpoint the underlying cause and create treatment plans that restore function. Whether your pain comes from overuse, injury, or nerve compression, Dr. Purswani takes time to understand how it's affecting your daily life and develops strategies to address it. Call the office or book online to schedule your elbow pain evaluation.
Elbow Pain Q & A
What causes elbow pain?
Your elbow is a complex joint where three bones meet, supported by tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Pain can develop when any of these structures become damaged or inflamed.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is one of the most common causes. Despite the name, you don’t need to play tennis to develop it. Repetitive gripping and wrist extension from activities like typing, painting, or using tools can inflame the tendons on the outside of your elbow.
Golfer’s elbow
Golfer’s elbow affects the inner side of the elbow and develops from similar repetitive motions involving wrist flexing and gripping.
Additional conditions that create elbow pain include:
- Cubital tunnel syndrome from ulnar nerve compression
- Bursitis creating swelling at the elbow tip
- Arthritis causing stiffness and aching
- Ligament sprains from falls or hyperextension
- Fractures or dislocations from trauma
- Tendon tears from sudden force or chronic degeneration
The pain might be sharp and localized or spread down your forearm. You may notice weakness when gripping objects, numbness in your ring and pinky fingers, or difficulty straightening your arm fully.
How is elbow pain diagnosed?
Dr. Purswani starts by asking about your symptoms, work activities, hobbies, and any recent injuries. He examines your elbow for swelling, tenderness, and range of motion.
Certain tests help identify which structures are involved — for instance, he might ask you to resist certain movements or check how your nerves respond to pressure.
X-rays can show bone spurs, fractures, or arthritis. If Dr. Purswani suspects soft tissue damage, MRI or ultrasound imaging helps visualize tendon tears or ligament sprains.
What treatments help elbow pain?
Dr. Purswani tailors treatment to your diagnosis. Options include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling
- Injections to calm inflamed tendons or bursae
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Multiwave locked system (MLS) therapy for accelerating healing
- Bracing or splinting to rest the affected area
- Physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles
- Activity modifications to prevent recurrence
Most people respond well to conservative care, though severe tendon tears or nerve compression may require a referral to a specialist for surgical evaluation.
To schedule your elbow pain evaluation, call South Texas Pain Institute or book your appointment online today.