What should every person know about bone spurs in the elbow?

You may have heard that bone spurs don’t commonly form in the elbows, and that may be true for many people. However, there are certain people who are more likely to develop this issue. Baseball pitchers are one example. Another is quarterbacks and other athletes who do a lot of throwing. But really, these bony protrusions can appear in anyone’s elbows and cause them trouble.

Want to learn even more about bone spurs in the elbow? Physical therapists can help you, and they have laid out some need-to-know information about this condition below. 

Signs of a bone spur in the elbow

This elbow condition might affect some people without their being aware of it. However, some of the signs it may cause include:

• Sharp pain in the elbow.
• Pain when bending or straightening your arm.
• Stiffness and weakness in your elbow.
• A bump that can be felt under the skin of your elbow.
• Numbness or weakness in the elbow or radiating up or down your arm.
• Decreased range of motion.

Common underlying causes of a bone spur in the elbow

Elbow pain often results from inflammation or injuries. Yet it’s really the issues that inflammation or injuries can trigger that can be the true source of your pain. Bone spurs in the elbow are an example of such an issue.

Here are some of the underlying issues that can cause these bony protrusions: 

• Osteoarthritis — Bone spurs are usually a result of wear and tear on the elbow joint, which often comes from repetitive movements or tasks done at home or at work. Osteoarthritis is a condition that involves elbow wear and tear. It occurs when the cartilage and bones in your elbows wear out over time. Bone spurs can result from the body adding additional bone to the area in an attempt to repair the wear and tear of osteoarthritis. 

• Repetitive, forceful throwing movements — You already read that pitchers, quarterbacks and other people who throw a lot are more likely to develop an elbow bone spur. The reason for this isn’t simply their position title. It’s because they do a lot of forceful throwing movements, and they do them over and over for extended periods. These movements then lead to microtraumas in the elbow bones. The body will try to repair by adding more bone to the area, which can lead to a bone spur. 

Ways physical therapy can help treat pain from a bone spur in your elbow

There are many ways a physical therapist can address the symptoms of this elbow issue. Some of the therapy methods they may use can include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) designed to reduce tension and pain in elbow and forearm soft tissue. 

• Joint mobilization intended to improve joint flexibility and range of motion. 

• Dry needling that can help address myofascial trigger points that are contributing to elbow pain. 

Find treatment for your elbow condition at Advent PT

You don’t have to continue suffering from pain because of a bone spur in the elbow. Our team at Advent Physical Therapy is ready to help you find an effective treatment for your pain. We can start by doing a free screening on your elbow to pinpoint the cause of your pain. Then, our experienced physical therapists can build you a customized therapy plan intended to: 

• Reduce pain.
• Improve joint mobility.
• Increase ability to do normal daily activities. 
• Cut the risk of future injuries. 

We can even help treat your pain from home if you sign up for a virtual therapy or at-home care session with us. 

Contact our team today for more information about how we can treat your elbow condition or to schedule an initial appointment.