Your computer-related elbow pain may manifest as one of several pain conditions. Several of the most common computer-related elbow injuries and pain conditions are described below, along with general symptoms of elbow pain conditions and elbow pain / elbow injury prevention, pain reduction and care tips.
Lateral Epicondylitis/ Tendonitis: Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is actually a tendonitis condition. It is an extremely common injury with computer users however it originally got its name because it is a frequent tennis injury, appearing in a large proportion of tennis players. Lateral epicondylitis occurs most commonly in the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle at approximately 2cm below the outer edge of the elbow joint or lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone (vist our elbow anatomy page) . There is commonly localized inflammation at this site and tenderness with resistance and touch.
Elbow Bursitis: The elbow pain originates from below the tip of the elbow where there is a sack of fluid called a bursa. A bursa is used to help lubricate the movement of tissues in joints. However if you take a hard impact onto the back of the elbow or are constantly leaning on the elbows the bursa, such as can occur with computer work, the bursa can become inflamed or irritated. The result is elbow pain and swelling at the back of the elbow.
Radial Nerve Entrapment: The radial nerve passes just below the bony bit on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle). The symptoms of radial nerve entrapment are very similar to those of tennis elbow. If the muscles and tendons in the forearm become inflamed they can trap the nerve. This can cause changes or decreases in sensation and weakness in the forearm and hand.
Ulnar Nerve Entrapment: The ulnar nerve runs down the inside of the elbow, also known as your funny bone. When the ulnar nerve gets inlammed or entrapped you may feel numbness or tingling down the 4th and 5th fingers. The muscles in the forearm may become inflammed as from computer work in poor postures or with ergonomic risk factors present, they then can trap the ulnar nerve causing symptoms.
Other Computer-related elbow Cumulative Trauma Disorders: For definitions and details of general cumulative trauma disorders such as strain, sprain, tendonitis and more visit our computer-related Cumulative Trauma Disorders page.
Computer-Related Elbow Injury / Elbow Pain General Symptoms:
1) Generalized or localized elbow pain about 1-2 cm down from bony area at the outside of the elbow. The elbow pain is worst with resisted movements to the wrist extensor group.
2) Weakness or loss of strength in the wrist with difficulty doing simple tasks such as gripping, opening a door handle or shaking hands with someone. .
3) Loss of motion, pain may limit movement and ability to function.
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