The elbow is the hinge-like joint that connects the upper and lower long bones of the arm. A fully mobile, pain-free elbow is critical to just about any activity requiring arm motion, from everyday tasks like reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting, to specialized athletic activities like swinging a golf club or throwing a football or baseball.

The elbow can develop medical issues in various ways, including overuse, strains, sprains, ligament and muscle tears, traumatic injury, and improper technique during physical activity. Common conditions include fractures, bursitis, tendonitis, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, pitcher’s elbow, bone spurs, arthritis, dislocations, and osteochondritis dissecans.

Signs of an elbow condition include:

• Inflammation

• Numbness

• Pain

• Reduced range of motion

• Stiffness

• Weakness

Medical diagnosis and treatment can speed the healing process.