It can come and go.
Or it can get steadily worse as you move your arm.
Sometimes, the pain is paired with numbness and tingling in the hand.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Elbow pain can have many different causes.
That’s why it’s important to see your healthcare provider for a full evaluation.
An accurate diagnosis is key to a proper treatment plan.
This article explores several common causes of elbow pain.
It outlines treatment options and gives you some guidelines for when to see a healthcare provider.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
Causes
Here’s a look at some common causes ofelbow pain.
Many are related to repetitive activities and injuries.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitisis also called tennis elbow, the most common cause of elbow pain.
It happens when the tendon that attaches the elbow joint to the forearm muscles becomes inflamed.
People who move their forearm muscles over and over in the same way are prone to this condition.
That often includes tennis players, weightlifters, painters, and plumbers.
The pain comes on gradually.
It has a burning quality and gets worse when you use your forearm extensor muscles.
They are the five muscles that also help you straighten your elbow.
Activities like turning a wrench, mixing dough, or swinging a tennis racquet prompt this kind of pain.
It can make gripping objects harder.
Medial Epicondylitis
This condition is sometimes called golfer’s elbow.Medial epicondylitiscauses pain near the joint.
However, the pain is on the inner side of the elbow.
This condition can also weaken the muscles in your forearm.
If the area swells enough, you might not be able to move your elbow fully.
Some people have a fever, too.
The condition can also increase over time, often due to overuse or long-term pressure on the elbow.
Sometimes it’s related to inflammatory kinds of arthritis, includingrheumatoid arthritis.
The triceps tendon connects the triceps muscle to the back of the elbow bone.
Biceps tendonitis is often because of repetitive biceps muscle use.
Lifting heavy boxes is one example.
It causes an aching pain in front of the elbow.
Triceps tendonitis causes an aching pain at the back of the elbow.
It happens when people extend their elbow with resistance over and over again.
Weightlifters are prone to this jot down of injury.
The elbow and forearm may bruise or swell.
You may even see a lump on the upper arm.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Yourulnar nervetravels from your neck to your hand.
(It is the source of discomfort when you hit your “funny bone.")
Sometimes, the nerve is squeezed as it wraps around the inside of the elbow.
This condition is called cubital tunnel syndrome.
Cubital tunnel syndromeoften causes an aching pain on the inside of the elbow.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome
Radial tunnel syndrome isn’t very common.
It happens when the radial nerve is compressed.
The radial nerve travels down the arm.
Radial tunnel syndrome causes vague pain that comes on gradually.
You may also notice numbness on the back of your hand and going up the back of your forearm.
The most common elbow fractures areolecranon fracturesandradial head fractures.
Symptoms may include:
Elbow Dislocation
Anelbow dislocationis not common.
It can happen if you fall onto the palm of your hand.
When the hand hits the ground, the force can twist the elbow out of its socket.
In other words, the bones of the elbow separate.
The pain can be gradual or sudden.
Sometimes elbow pain comes with numbness, tingling, swelling, or bruising, depending on the cause.
They may also ask about your medical history.
Common questions include:
Questions about symptoms can help to pinpoint a cause.
For example, tingling can sometimes mean a nerve is involved.
And fever is a sign of infection.
Your healthcare provider will also perform a brief neurological exam of the arm and hand.
This checks for numbness and muscle weakness.
Imaging Tests
You may need imaging tests to confirm a diagnosis for your elbow pain.
Treatment
Your treatment depends on the diagnosis.
That’s why it’s essential to know the cause of the pain before beginning any treatment.
Self-Care Strategies
Fractures and dislocations can’t be managed on your own.
Many other conditions can be treated with simple self-care strategies.
There are lots of ways for you to take an active role in your elbow joint health.
Rest
The first treatment for many common elbow conditions is to rest the joint.
Rest allows inflammation to subside.
Just be careful that you’re not too still for too long.
Some movement may be needed to avoid astiff joint.
Avoid activities that trigger or worsen your elbow pain.
Repetitive movements, too much pressure for too long, and heavy lifting can make some conditions worse.
Ice
Ice packs are often used to treat elbow pain, especially epicondylitis and olecranon bursitis.
It is most helpful in the early stages.
Apply ice to your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes, three times daily.
Remember to place a towel between the ice pack and your skin.
Stretching
Stretching the muscles and tendons around the elbow joint can prevent stiffness and improve flexibility.
Once you know the most effective stretches, you might use them on your own.
It’s an elastic strap worn an inch or two below your elbow.
The brace puts pressure on the forearm muscles to lower tension on the tendon.
At first, you may wear the brace all the time.
Once the pain eases, you’ll wear it during activities that stress the arm.
Elbow pads may be used to treat olecranon bursa or cubital tunnel syndrome.
They keep stress from being placed on the joint.
A splint that keeps the elbow straight at night may help cubital tunnel syndrome.
Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) pain medications are often used to treat pain.
They’re commonly prescribed for arthritis,bursitis, and tendonitis.
A cortisone injection can also treat inflammation.
For instance, cortisone is sometimes injected into the biceps tendon to ease pain and swelling.
It may also be used for bursitis that does not improve after three to six weeks of other treatments.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is an important part of the treatment plan for most orthopedic conditions.
It usually starts as soon as the acute pain eases.
In addition to strengthening the forearm muscles, physical therapy can help prevent future injury or pain.
Surgery
Some causes of elbow pain need surgery.
Elbow fractures, dislocations, cubital tunnel syndrome, and medial epicondylitis are sometimes treated withopen surgery.
For conditions contained within the elbow joint itself, arthroscopic surgery may be an option.
Summary
Elbow pain can have a number of causes and inflammation is often involved.
Fracturing or dislocating your elbow can also cause pain.
You’ll probably be asked about any activities or traumas that may have led to the pain.
Treatments can include rest, ice, braces or splints, pain medications, physical therapy, or surgery.
Your treatment plan will be adapted to your needs.
While it may involve your “funny bone,” elbow pain won’t make you laugh.
If you have elbow pain, see your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overuse and wear-and-tear injuries are the most common causes of elbow pain.
Bicep tendonitis is felt in the inner elbow.
Tricep tendonitis is felt in the outer elbow.
Both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow can make gripping objects harder.
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