If you want to crunch your elbow because it feels sore or stiff, flex and extend the triceps by bending and straightening your arm a few times. Just like squeezing your knuckles, elbows return to comfort after crunching due to the loss of pressure on the joint. However, this method can not eliminate the stabbing pain in the elbow, it can even make the pain worse. If the elbow is painful, see a doctor immediately because this complaint may be due to inflammation of the bursa, epicondylitis (tennis elbow), or a torn biceps tendon.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Crackling and Restoring the Elbow Joint
Step 1. Contract your triceps by straightening your arms to flex your elbows
When performing triceps flexion, the arms are straight and the triceps are contracted so that they are inflated as much as possible. This action triggers pressure on the elbow joint to release tiny air bubbles from the synovial fluid within the joint, causing a creaking sound like when a knuckle is clicked.
- The triceps are on the back side of the upper arm behind the biceps.
- Do not perform triceps flexion if elbow pain is severe. You may have a more serious medical problem than an elbow dislocation.
Step 2. Straighten the arm and contract the triceps to restore the dislocated elbow joint
Apply the triceps flexion technique in the above step to restore the displaced elbow joint. If you have dislocated your elbow joint, for example, from an injury during sports, try flexing your elbow to get the forearm bone back in before seeing a doctor. If your elbow still hurts after the first crunch, relax your triceps by allowing your elbow to bend slightly.
- Then, straighten your arms once more. Continue to relax the triceps and straighten the elbow several times until the elbow joint is comfortable.
- This step makes the bones that meet at the elbow rub against each other.
Step 3. Do not continue to rattle your elbow if the elbow joint is still sliding
Stop triceps flexion when you have bent and straightened your elbow 5-6 times, but the elbow is still not comfortable. If continued, this movement only makes the ends of the arm bones rub against each other. Instead of restoring the joint, this step makes the elbow joint more painful.
If you experience this, see a doctor or come to the emergency department (IGD) at a hospital
Method 2 of 2: Undergoing Medical Therapy
Step 1. See a doctor if the joint dislocation has not resolved
Sometimes, joint dislocation and bone fracture are difficult to distinguish. If you've been crunching your elbows, but to no avail, see a doctor or go to the ER as soon as possible. Do not delay treatment if the elbow is getting worse.
Go to the ER immediately if the elbow is very painful, cannot be bent, or the hand is numb
Step 2. See a doctor if your elbow is swollen or painful
There's a good chance you'll develop bursae if you're used to rattling your elbows several times a day on purpose or not. Inflammation of the bursa is caused by swelling of the fluid glands in the elbow due to doing too much activity and experiencing too much friction. You may have bursae if your elbow joint is swollen and painful when you move it.
If you hear a snapping sound in your elbow but don't know the cause, you may have torn a ligament or muscle tendon, a bone fracture, or a dislocated joint
Step 3. Explain to your doctor your symptoms and how severe the pain is
Your doctor needs to be told when you have elbow pain and the intensity of the pain. In addition, tell the doctor that the elbow hurts only when moved or including during sleep at night. If you don't flex your elbows, but do repetitive arm movements during your daily activities, you may have tennis elbow.
Repetitive movements that put pressure on the elbows over and over again, such as typing on a keyboard, lifting very heavy weights at the gym, playing tennis or golf, working as a plumber can make elbow pain worse
Step 4. Ask your doctor for advice on options for X-rays to confirm the condition of the elbow
You may have an elbow dislocation or an arm fracture if your elbow is very painful, you can't bend your elbow, or you can't use your hand. If you experience these complaints, ask your doctor to examine your elbow using a scanner, such as an X-ray machine or an MRI to find out the condition of your elbow and arm bones.
This examination is painless and takes only 15 minutes
Step 5. Ask your doctor about the most appropriate treatment options
You don't need surgery or hospitalization if your elbow pain isn't due to a bone fracture. Ask your doctor to explain why you have elbow pain, such as tennis elbow, bursae, sprains, or joint stiffness. Also ask how to reduce joint pain and prevent pain recurrence. Your doctor may recommend that you apply ice to your elbow and not move your elbow if it hurts.
Usually, your doctor will advise you not to do short repetitive movements using your elbow and not to rattle your elbow as often
Tips
- If you rarely flex your elbows to relieve soreness, this method is quite safe and does not cause pain, but do not exceed 2 times a day.
- See your doctor if you crunch your elbows several times a day to relax your elbows. It is possible that this complaint is caused by a health problem.
- If one or both elbows often hurt, but not because of injury or repetitive hand movements, you may have rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
