Quick Answer
See a doctor if elbow pain persists more than 2 weeks despite rest, interferes with daily activities, or you experience numbness/tingling in your hand. Seek immediate care for severe trauma, visible deformity, inability to bend or straighten elbow, or signs of infection.
🚨 Seek Immediate Medical Care If:
- Obvious deformity - elbow looks misshapen or dislocated
- Severe trauma from fall, sports injury, or car accident
- Inability to bend or straighten elbow at all
- Rapid severe swelling or large bruise developing quickly
- Signs of infection: Fever, red streaks, severe warmth, pus
- Sudden complete hand weakness or inability to make a fist
📅 Schedule an Appointment Within Days If:
- • Pain lasting more than 2 weeks despite rest and ice
- • Pain interfering with work or daily activities
- • Numbness or tingling in ring and pinky fingers
- • Weakness in grip strength
- • Pain with simple movements (turning doorknobs, lifting objects)
- • Swelling that persists for more than a few days
- • Locking or catching sensation in elbow
- • Recurring elbow pain after repetitive activities
- • Visible lump or bump on elbow
Common Causes of Elbow Pain
Overuse Injuries (Most Common)
- • Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Outside elbow pain from wrist/finger extensor overuse
- • Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): Inside elbow pain from wrist flexor overuse
- • Olecranon Bursitis: Swelling at tip of elbow, “Popeye elbow”
- • Tendonitis: Inflammation from repetitive motions
Nerve Compression
- • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Ulnar nerve compression causing numbness in ring/pinky fingers
- • Radial Tunnel Syndrome: Radial nerve compression causing forearm pain
- • Pronator Syndrome: Median nerve compression in forearm
Acute Injuries
- • Fracture: Broken bone in elbow (often from fall on outstretched hand)
- • Elbow Dislocation: Joint surfaces separated (very painful)
- • UCL Tear: Ulnar collateral ligament injury (common in throwing athletes)
- • Triceps or Biceps Tendon Rupture: Complete tear, sudden weakness
Other Conditions
- • Elbow Arthritis: Cartilage wear causing pain and stiffness
- • Osteochondritis Dissecans: Cartilage/bone fragment (often in young athletes)
- • Gout: Sudden severe pain with redness and warmth
Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow
Tennis Elbow
Lateral Epicondylitis - Outside of elbow
- • Location: Outer elbow pain
- • Causes: Repetitive wrist extension (typing, tennis backhand, painting)
- • Pain with: Gripping, lifting objects, shaking hands
- • Common in: Ages 30-50, computer workers, racquet sports
Golfer's Elbow
Medial Epicondylitis - Inside of elbow
- • Location: Inner elbow pain
- • Causes: Repetitive wrist flexion (golf swing, throwing, climbing)
- • Pain with: Gripping, wrist flexion, making a fist
- • Common in: Golfers, baseball players, climbers
Home Treatment for Mild Elbow Pain
For tennis/golfer's elbow or mild overuse injuries:
- • Rest from aggravating activities: Avoid repetitive gripping, wrist movements
- • Ice: 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times daily
- • Compression: Counterforce brace just below elbow
- • NSAIDs: Ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce inflammation
- • Gentle stretching: Wrist flexor and extensor stretches
- • Modify activities: Use ergonomic tools, change technique
Expected timeline: Most overuse elbow pain improves in 6-12 weeks with conservative care
What Your Doctor Will Check
Physical Examination
- • Palpation of tendons and bony landmarks
- • Range of motion testing
- • Strength testing of wrist and elbow
- • Special tests for tennis/golfer's elbow
- • Nerve testing (Tinel's sign for cubital tunnel)
Imaging (if needed)
- • X-rays: Rule out fractures, arthritis, loose bodies
- • MRI: Evaluate tendons, ligaments, cartilage
- • Nerve conduction studies: For suspected nerve compression
- • Ultrasound: Check tendon tears, inflammation
Treatment Options
Conservative Treatment (First Line)
- • Physical therapy: Eccentric exercises, stretching, strengthening
- • Counterforce bracing: Reduces stress on tendons
- • Activity modification: Ergonomic changes, technique correction
- • Corticosteroid injections: For severe inflammation (limited use)
- • PRP injections: Platelet-rich plasma for chronic tendinitis
For Nerve Compression
- • Avoid leaning on elbows and prolonged elbow flexion
- • Elbow pad or splint at night to keep elbow straight
- • Nerve gliding exercises to improve mobility
- • Surgery (cubital tunnel release) if conservative care fails
When Surgery May Be Needed
- • Chronic tennis/golfer's elbow not responding after 6-12 months
- • Severe nerve compression with progressive weakness
- • Complete ligament or tendon rupture
- • Elbow fractures requiring fixation
- • Loose cartilage fragments causing locking
Prevention Tips
- • Proper technique: Use correct form in sports and work activities
- • Gradual progression: Don't suddenly increase intensity or duration
- • Strengthen forearm muscles: Wrist curls, reverse wrist curls
- • Warm up before activity: Gentle stretches and movements
- • Use proper equipment: Correct grip size on racquets, ergonomic tools
- • Take breaks: During repetitive activities (typing, painting)
- • Avoid leaning on elbows: Prevents nerve compression
Medical Review
Reviewed by: Ricardo Hamilton, MD
Last Updated: November 26, 2025
Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Guidelines