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Lots of things can cause elbow pain, from overuse to injury. Discover some common reasons behind elbow pain, as well as their causes and symptoms
Summary
1What is elbow pain?
Elbow pain is a complex issue. This is because there are different types of elbow pain, as well as different causes. To understand what elbow pain...
2Elbow pain relief
Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do to help relieve your elbow pain. While the best solution for you will depend on your exact...
3Can I take painkillers for elbow pain?
If you’re experiencing elbow pain, it's tempting to take painkillers to relieve your discomfort. These will probably provide some temporary relief...
From tennis elbow to elbow tendonitis, elbow discomfort can be one of the most irritating types of joint pain... And if you've ever experienced it, you'll know pain in these bones is anything but funny.
So, if you are suffering from a sore elbow, get ready to find out what exactly might be causing it – whether you play tennis or not!
What is elbow pain?
Elbow pain is a complex issue. This is because there are different types of elbow pain, as well as different causes.
So to understand what elbow pain is, it’s helpful to first look at how the elbow actually works.
Your elbow joint is where the two bones of your forearm meet the bone in your upper arm, known as the humerus. The ends of these bones are covered in something called cartilage, which allows them to slide easily against one another and allows us to make the hinge action that we commonly associate when bending our elbow.1
So, what does elbow pain feel like?
Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. How your elbow pain feels will largely depend on what’s causing it. For example, you might experience:2,3
- pain inside your elbow pain on the outside of your elbow that makes it hard to extend your arm
- pain that’s accompanied by swelling, redness or an area of the elbow that’s hot to the touch
- pain that only occurs when lifting or is worse when you twist or bend your arm
- constant pain, even when you aren’t moving your arm
- pain that causes weakness in your elbow
Causes of elbow pain
There are lots of reasons why you might have a sore elbow. You may have injured or strained it during exercise or heavy lifting, which can then lead to other issues. We've highlighted some of them below...
Elbow tendonitis (or tennis elbow)
Elbow tendonitis is a condition that occurs when a tendon in the elbow swells up following an injury.
Its clinical name is lateral epicondylitis or epicondylosis, but it’s more commonly referred to as ‘tennis elbow’.4
Elbow tendonitis usually happens as a result of overusing the muscles and tendons that both attach to your elbow and straighten your wrist. The more you use these muscles, the more pressure it places on both them and your tendons (the strips of fibrous connective tissue that help muscle attach to bone).5
Some of the most common symptoms of tennis elbow include experiencing pain when carrying out certain actions. This includes:6
- lifting or bending your arm
- gripping small objects, like a pen or bottle of water
- twisting your forearm, such as trying to unscrew a jar or turn a doorknob You may also experience difficulty moving the joint, a stiffness or cracking sensation when you try to move it, and swelling. It can also even look red or feel hot to the touch
Despite its name, tennis elbow doesn’t only affect people who play tennis. If you do anything that requires repetitive gripping or wrist action, you could be at risk of developing the condition.7
For example, some of the most common causes include:8
- playing any sports that involve a racquet or throwing an object, like a ball or javelin
- using hand tools regularly, such as scissors or a screwdriver
- activities like decorating, plumbing, gardening or general DIY
- activities such as typing or sewing that require small, repetitive hand movements
Elbow bursitis
Elbow bursitis is a condition that affects a specific area of your elbow known as the ‘olecranon bursa’ – a thin, fluid-filled sac found on the bony tip of your elbow.
In most cases, bursitis of the elbow occurs as a result of overusing the joint. While it can feel incredibly painful and limit your movement, with the right treatment, most people recover without medical intervention. However, it’s recommended that if your symptoms haven’t improved within a few weeks, you make an appointment with your GP.9
Some of the most common symptoms of elbow bursitis include:9
- pain that gets worse when you touch your elbow or try to move your arm
- swelling around the tip of your elbow
- redness on the tip of the elbow that may spread over the entire elbow and, in some cases, onto the arm
- skin that’s warm to the touch
Like many other types of elbow pain, elbow bursitis is most often caused by trauma or overusing the joint.10
Taking a blunt-force blow to your elbow during a car accident or falling over, for example, can lead to elbow bursitis. Likewise, overusing the joint during activities like painting and decorating, racquet sports like tennis, squash and badminton, or lifting weights can also lead to its potential onset.11
In some cases, elbow bursitis can develop into a potentially serious condition called septic bursitis. This occurs when bacteria enter the bursa, causing an infection.
You’re more likely to get an infection in the elbow bursa than any other type of joint simply because it’s more prone to injury.10 If you develop septic elbow bursitis, you’ll likely need to be prescribed a course of antibiotics to deal with the infection.12 Septic elbow bursitis is a potentially serious condition that requires medical attention immediately.
Golfer’s elbow
‘Golfer’s elbow’ is a condition which causes pain on the inside of the elbow joint – where your forearm muscles attach to the bony part on the inside of your elbow. It’s also called medial epicondylitis or medial tendinosis.13
Unsurprisingly, ‘golfer’s elbow’ takes its name from the fact that it’s often experienced by people who play golf. However, this isn’t the only reason you might feel discomfort in this part of your elbow.
Some of the most common symptoms of golfer’s elbow include:
- pain on the inside edge of the elbow that may extend into the forearm and hand
- pain when you grip something or flex your wrist
- weakness in the arm that affects your ability to grip or lift
- stiffness in your elbow
Golf may be the sport most often associated with a golfer’s elbow, but it’s not the only one. Many others, including throwing and racquet sports, can also cause this type of elbow pain.
Similarly, any hobbies that require repetitive movement of the elbow joint – such as plumbing, painting and carpentry – can be common causes of golfer’s elbow.13
Elbow strains or sprains
Sprains and strains are extremely common and can affect almost any joint in the body, including the elbow. Despite having similar names, they aren’t the same thing.
A sprain occurs when the fibres in a ligament stretch or tear. Ligaments are tough bands of elastic tissue around your joints that connect one bone to another, give the joint support and make sure they don’t move too far.14
A strain is a bit different. Strains refer to tears in the fibres of a muscle or tendon. Tendons are also strong bands of tissue, but they connect your muscles to your bones.15
If you’ve sprained or strained your elbow, you might experience:16
- pain, tenderness or swelling around the elbow, either when it’s still or when you’re moving it
- difficulty bending or straightening your arm
- bruising around the elbow
- redness or warmth around the elbow
- swelling around the elbow
- a popping sound when moving your elbow
- weakness when trying to use your arm, particularly when trying to lift
Sprains and strains of the elbow are normally a result of injury to the ligaments around the elbow joint. These can happen if your arm is bent or twisted quickly, or under force.
For example, you could fall onto your arm or have someone or something collide with it. For this reason, these types of injuries commonly occur during sports.
Elbow pain relief
Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do to help relieve your elbow pain. While the best solution for you will depend on your exact type of elbow pain, the remedies listed below should help reduce your level of discomfort.
- Rest
One of the best ways to manage elbow pain and recover from elbow injuries is to give the joint a rest. Carrying on as before will only make the issue worse, so make sure to give your body time to heal. Stop any repetitive exercises that use your arm and elbow joint and try not to lift or carry anything heavy that places weight onto the injury.4
- Ice packs
Ice is a very affordable and accessible remedy for joint issues, including elbow pain. It’s also especially useful if you’re suffering from inflammation at the same time. Apply an ice pack or wrap a bag of frozen vegetables in a clean cloth, and apply to your elbow for up to 20 minutes every few hours. The colder temperatures will help to reduce inflammation and stiffness that could be contributing to your pain.
- Physiotherapy exercises
There are certain exercises that you can do to not only help your elbow heal but also reduce your risk of injury in the future. Some of the most effective elbow exercises include:17
- wrist turns
- wrist turns with weights
- elbow bends
- wrist flex
Exercises are usually performed in sets, but always speak to your doctor before starting any new exercise involving an injured or painful part of your body.
Can I take painkillers for elbow pain?
If you’re experiencing elbow pain, it can be tempting to take painkillers to relieve your discomfort. These will probably provide some temporary relief, but they’re unlikely to solve the underlying issue.
That said, certain anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, can be useful in relieving swelling associated with many types of elbow pain.18
You can also buy various gels, sprays and other topical treatments to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
If you’ve tried home remedies and your symptoms aren’t going away, see your doctor for advice. They may suggest further treatment such as injections and, in some rare cases, surgery (though this is usually a last resort).4,13
The final say
Keeping your bones and joints healthy is important, especially if you play sport regularly. You’ll want to get any elbow pain sorted as swiftly as possible and avoid making it worse.
If you have any concerns about your elbow pain, it’s best to speak to a medical professional in the first instance. They may advise you to try some of these simple ways to care for your inflamed or stiff joints – and hopefully you’ll be back in the swing of things in no time.
This article is for information only and does not constitute medical advice.
- 1. Card, R. & Lowe, J. ‘Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Elbow Joint’. StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2024. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532948/.
- 2. Health. Elbow pain [Internet]. Vic.gov.au. 2014 [cited 2024 May 23]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/elbow-pain#about-elbow-pain
- 3. Elbow pain [Internet]. Versus Arthritis. 2019 [cited 2024 May 23]. Available from: https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/elbow-pain/
- 4. NHS. Tennis elbow [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tennis-elbow/.
- 5. NHS Choices. Overview - Tennis elbow [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 May 23]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tennis-elbow/
- 6. NHS. Symptoms: Tennis elbow [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tennis-elbow/symptoms/.
- 7. Buchanan, B. & Varacallo, M. ‘Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)’. StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2024. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431092/
- 8. NHS. Causes: Tennis elbow [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tennis-elbow/causes/.
- 9. NHS. Bursitis [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bursitis/
- 10. National Institute for Health and Care Excellent: Olecranon bursitis, what causes it? [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/olecranon-bursitis/background-information/causes/.
- 11. NHS Choices. Bursitis [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 May 23]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bursitis/
- 12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellent: Olecranon bursitis, scenario management [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/olecranon-bursitis/management/management/.
- 13. Kiel, J., & Kaiser, K. ‘Golfers Elbow’. StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2023. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519000/.
- 14. ‘What Are Ligaments?’ InformedHealth.Org [Internet], Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525790/.
- 15. National Library of Medicine. What are Ligaments [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525790/
- 16. NHS. Sprains and strains [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/.
- 17. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Exercise advice for tennis elbow [Internet]. [cited 2024 Mar 13]. Available from: https://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/rehabilitation-exercises/tennis-elbow.
- 18. Pattanittum, P., et al. ‘Non‐steroidal Anti‐inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for Treating Lateral Elbow Pain in Adults’. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013;5:CD003686. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003686.pub2.
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