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The elbow is made of 3 bones including: the humerus (upper arm bone), and the radius and ulna (the bones of the forearm).
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Many people get elbow pain without any actual damage to the joint.
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Noises such as creaking and clicking are quite common in people without elbow pain and rarely indicate damage or harm.
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X-rays and scans often are NOT needed to find the cause of your elbow pain (see below).
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Graded movement and exercise in most cases is NOT harmful to your elbow and will actually HELP your pain by making the elbow stronger and more mobile.
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There are lots of things you can do by yourself to help you manage your elbow pain (see below).
Elbow Conditions
About the Elbow:
Elbow pain is very common. Although elbow pain can very painful, there is rarely a serious cause for the pain. For lots of people that experience elbow pain, the pain will usually settle on its own within 6-12 weeks. This page will guide you to manage your recovery from elbow pain and also advise when to seek help.
- If your elbow pain has been ongoing for longer than 3 months, you may find further useful information in the Persistent Pain section.
- If your pain or reduced function is due to elbow osteoarthritis you may find useful information in the Osteoarthritis section.
A number of different factors can contribute to the start of elbow pain. These include:
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An injury or trauma to the elbow affecting muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons.
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A sudden change in your activity levels or an increase in repetitive movements. This can include things like repetitively using a hammer or screwdriver or taking up a new sport such as tennis or golf.
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An irritation to a nerve.
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Conditions such as fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis.
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A period of life changes such as: increased stress, low mood, poor sleep, increased fear or worry.
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General lifestyle factors such as smoking and/or not maintaining a healthy weight or diet.
General symptoms of Elbow pain
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Pain that can be located on the outside or on the inside of the elbow.
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Pain with gripping activities or repetitive motions.
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Stiffness.
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Swelling.
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A tingling sensation that may travel into the forearm.
