Differential Diagnosis for Left Elbow Swelling
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Trauma or Fracture: This is often the most common reason for elbow swelling, especially if there's a history of a recent fall or injury. The swelling could be due to a fracture, sprain, or bruising around the elbow area.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Olecranon Bursitis: This condition, also known as "student's elbow," involves inflammation of the bursa at the back of the elbow, leading to swelling. It can be caused by leaning on the elbow, an infection, or an inflammatory condition.
- Elbow Arthritis: Various forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or psoriatic arthritis, can cause swelling in the elbow due to joint inflammation.
- Infection (Cellulitis or Abscess): Bacterial infections can cause swelling, redness, and warmth around the elbow area. This could be due to a skin infection spreading to the soft tissues or an infected wound.
- Gout or Pseudogout: These conditions involve the deposition of crystals within the joints, leading to sudden, severe joint pain and swelling, which can occasionally affect the elbow.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Septic Arthritis: Although less common, septic arthritis is a serious condition where the joint space becomes infected, leading to severe pain, swelling, and potential joint destruction if not promptly treated.
- Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone, which can cause swelling, pain, and redness around the affected area, including the elbow.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): While less common in the upper limbs, DVT can cause swelling, warmth, and pain in the affected limb, including the arm, and is a medical emergency due to the risk of pulmonary embolism.
Rare Diagnoses
- Hemophilia: In patients with hemophilia, even minor trauma can lead to significant bleeding into the joints (hemarthrosis), causing swelling and pain.
- Sarcoidosis: A systemic disease that can cause inflammation in various parts of the body, including the joints, leading to swelling and pain.
- Tumors (Benign or Malignant): Rarely, swelling around the elbow could be due to a tumor, either benign (like a ganglion cyst) or malignant (such as a soft tissue sarcoma), although these are much less common causes of elbow swelling.