If youve ever hit your funny bone, you know thatelbow paincan be annoying.

This article discusses causes, diagnosis, and treatments for elbow pain.

However, some people may feel pain in both elbows.

A woman stands outside, cradling her elbow in one hand.

Anupong Thongchan / EyeEm / Getty Images

While tendonitis can cause aching pains in your elbow or throughout your arm, the condition is often temporary.

If your symptoms do not resolve after several days of at-home care, consider visiting a healthcare provider.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Unlike tendonitis, arthritis is a chronic condition.

This condition can cause swelling, pain, and stiffness in your elbows.

RA usually affects joints symmetrically, so if one elbow has symptoms, the other does as well.

It affects one or both elbows quite often, in 20% to 65% of cases.

There are soft tissues in your elbows that help cushion and protect your bones.

If you have RA, thesynovialmembrane swells and thickens.

You may have a smaller range of motion in your elbows.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is another common culprit in chronic elbow pain.

Lab Tests

After a physical exam, your healthcare provider may decide lab tests will be useful.

Use opioids only as prescribed due to the risk of addiction.

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