Olecranon Impingement Syndrome
This is also known as posterior impingement of the elbow, and it is a cause of elbow pain and stiffness of the articulation. It is also an overuse injury, and the usual reason is forced extensions of the elbow repeatedly performed over a long period. What happens in your elbow when forcing an extension is that the tip touches the posterior part of the elbow. The area will become inflamed if you repeat this motion and continue doing it forcefully for an extended period. In severe cases, inflammation can even damage the bone and cartilage tissue.
Athletes who play baseball and softball can develop olecranon impingement syndrome. It is detected as pain in the back of the elbow, especially when throwing a ball. The articulation becomes stiff, and patients report being unable to straighten it completely. Sometimes they feel a popping sound in the elbow, which becomes locked and difficult to move.
If you have this type of pain and difficulties straightening your elbow, the best you can do is to consult with your doctor. In some cases, it is a transient problem, but it can be olecranon impingement syndrome if you are an athlete or perform plenty of handwork daily.
In most cases, this condition can be treated with physiotherapy and over-the-counter medications. The main goal of physiotherapy is to improve the strength and flexibility of the articulation. In some cases, steroid injections are also recommended to reduce swelling in the articulation.