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What Causes Pain In The Elbow, Wrist And Forearm After Workout?
Posted on
Thu, 27 Apr 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 27 Apr 2017
Answered on
Fri, 19 May 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, after a session of weightlifting (bicep curls) I began to experience pain in my elbow wrist and forearm. This happened about four months ago. I got treatment for tennis elbow (prp and rest) which seemed to help ease my elbow pain, however, I am still experiencing a lot of wrist discomfort. I went for emg and nerve conduction test both came back negative for any nerve entrapment. I really believe that it is nerve issues causing this pain. are there any other tests that could help identify the issue.
Brief Answer:
Electrical studies sensitive for this type of problem
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Aside from the electrical study you had done which is a very sensitive type of test to detect compression or other reason for conduction block there is the NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION by a trained neurologist. When the examination is put together with the electrical you should know with great certainty if there is a nerve problem. If you had an ultrasonographer in your hospital that knows how to do wrists then, that could be another test...however, if I were in your position I would not go through more testing for nerve involvement since this is highly unlikely with your presentation.
From your description of the problem as well as my experience both as a weightlifter and involvement with sports injuries as a patient and doctor I will tell you that your problem is almost certainly an overuse injury involving tendons and ligaments. The treatment is rest and keeping the affected wrist in the neutral position with a wrist.
You must lay off of weightlifting for the time being and I would continue icing the injured wrist and elbow even for about a week after it began though many physical therapists would tell you to use warm heat at this point. I believe icing for up to week when dealing these types of injuries works much more effectively.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Electrical studies sensitive for this type of problem
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. Aside from the electrical study you had done which is a very sensitive type of test to detect compression or other reason for conduction block there is the NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION by a trained neurologist. When the examination is put together with the electrical you should know with great certainty if there is a nerve problem. If you had an ultrasonographer in your hospital that knows how to do wrists then, that could be another test...however, if I were in your position I would not go through more testing for nerve involvement since this is highly unlikely with your presentation.
From your description of the problem as well as my experience both as a weightlifter and involvement with sports injuries as a patient and doctor I will tell you that your problem is almost certainly an overuse injury involving tendons and ligaments. The treatment is rest and keeping the affected wrist in the neutral position with a wrist.
You must lay off of weightlifting for the time being and I would continue icing the injured wrist and elbow even for about a week after it began though many physical therapists would tell you to use warm heat at this point. I believe icing for up to week when dealing these types of injuries works much more effectively.
If I've provided useful and helpful information to your questions could you do me a huge favor by CLOSING THE QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating? Again, many thanks for submitting your inquiry and please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 15 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for a great answer very much appreciated. I am very concerned because anytime I bend my wrist it feels like there is enormous pressure on it. The sensation is comparable to when you try to lift to much weight. I have rested for upwards of four months with very little relief.
Brief Answer:
Physical/Occupational therapy
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your kind words and for some more description of the problem.
As I thought about your problem again with the additional description of feeling a lot of pressure upon it whenever you bend it I began thinking in terms of tightening of the flexor and extensor tendons themselves which can happen with overuse syndromes.
Perhaps, a physiatrist would be a good person to consult with on this problem or a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor as well in order to assess the muscles, tendons, and ligaments from a mechanical point of view. The symptoms in your wrists and negative EMG findings make primary nerve problem extremely unlikely and much more mechanically based.
2 treatment modalities that come to mind which I have found useful in some patients with similar symptoms would be Ultrasound and Diathermy (twice weekly x 6 weeks) as well as the use of a TENS unit applied to the under and overside of the wrist.
Once again, I'd greatly appreciate your CLOSING THE QUERY and adding some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating if you feel the information has been helpful. Please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 40 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Physical/Occupational therapy
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your kind words and for some more description of the problem.
As I thought about your problem again with the additional description of feeling a lot of pressure upon it whenever you bend it I began thinking in terms of tightening of the flexor and extensor tendons themselves which can happen with overuse syndromes.
Perhaps, a physiatrist would be a good person to consult with on this problem or a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation doctor as well in order to assess the muscles, tendons, and ligaments from a mechanical point of view. The symptoms in your wrists and negative EMG findings make primary nerve problem extremely unlikely and much more mechanically based.
2 treatment modalities that come to mind which I have found useful in some patients with similar symptoms would be Ultrasound and Diathermy (twice weekly x 6 weeks) as well as the use of a TENS unit applied to the under and overside of the wrist.
Once again, I'd greatly appreciate your CLOSING THE QUERY and adding some fine words of feedback along with a 5 STAR rating if you feel the information has been helpful. Please let me know how things turn out.
Do not forget to contact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 40 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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