Evaluate gripping pain, tendon irritation, motion, and symptoms affecting work or sport.
OrthoFairfax · Fairfax, Virginia
Elbow Pain
Explore common causes of elbow discomfort, including repetitive-use and tendon concerns.
Why OrthoFairfax
A more thoughtful approach to elbow pain
Care tailored to your symptoms, daily activities, and goals.
Use musculoskeletal ultrasound to assess selected tendons and soft tissues when helpful.
Discuss activity changes and focused non-surgical care for common overuse problems.
Consider ultrasound-guided injections or regenerative options only when appropriate.
A plan shaped around your priorities, with benefits, limitations, and alternatives discussed with you.
Conditions affecting the Elbow
Elbow discomfort can result from repetitive use, tendon irritation, bursae, or nerve pressure. The location of pain and activities that trigger it can offer useful clues.
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Understanding these conditions
Explore what each condition may involve and the symptoms people commonly notice.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is irritation of tendons on the outside of the elbow, often from repeated gripping or wrist movement. It can cause tenderness and pain when lifting objects, turning a handle, or shaking hands.
Golfer's Elbow
Golfer's elbow affects tendons on the inner side of the elbow and is often associated with repeated gripping or wrist flexion. Pain may spread into the forearm and worsen when gripping or lifting.
Olecranon Bursitis
The olecranon bursa is a small fluid-filled sac over the bony tip of the elbow. If irritated, it can cause a noticeable soft swelling at the back of the elbow and tenderness when leaning on it.
Distal Biceps Tendon Injury
The distal biceps tendon attaches the biceps muscle to the forearm near the elbow. Injury can cause front-of-elbow pain and weakness when bending the elbow or turning the palm upward.
Ulnar Nerve Irritation
The ulnar nerve passes behind the inner elbow, often called the funny bone. Pressure or irritation can cause tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers, sometimes with hand weakness.
Elbow Osteoarthritis
Elbow osteoarthritis involves wear-related changes in the joint. It may cause stiffness, aching, reduced ability to fully bend or straighten the arm, or discomfort during pushing and lifting.
These descriptions are for general education. Similar symptoms can have different causes; a clinician can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.
Explore common causes of elbow discomfort, including repetitive-use and tendon concerns. Symptoms can have different causes, and a careful assessment is important before deciding what to do next.
When to consider an evaluation
Consider discussing symptoms with a healthcare professional if they persist, recur, interfere with normal activities, or are associated with swelling, stiffness, weakness, or reduced movement. The history of the problem and a physical examination help guide next steps.
What an evaluation may include
Depending on your symptoms, an evaluation may include a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and consideration of imaging or other tests when appropriate. Not every patient needs imaging, and the best test depends on the clinical question.
Understanding treatment options
Options depend on the cause and severity of symptoms, your health, and your goals. A clinician may discuss activity changes, rehabilitation, medications, selected injections, or referral for further assessment. Each option has potential benefits, limitations, and risks.
Questions to ask
- What are the likely causes of my symptoms?
- What should we do to clarify the diagnosis?
- Which treatment options are reasonable for my situation?
- What are the benefits, risks, alternatives, and expected costs?
This page provides general education only and is not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. Sudden severe symptoms, major injury, inability to use or bear weight on the affected area, or new significant weakness may need urgent medical assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions. Your clinician can help apply this information to your individual situation.
What commonly causes elbow pain?
Common causes include tendon irritation such as tennis or golfer’s elbow, bursitis, arthritis, and nerve irritation. The location of pain and activities that trigger it help guide an evaluation.
Can elbow pain come from repetitive activities?
Yes. Repeated gripping, lifting, tool use, racquet sports, and some work tasks can overload the tendons around the elbow. Other causes are possible, so persistent symptoms deserve an individualized assessment.
When should I have elbow pain evaluated?
Consider an evaluation when pain persists, keeps returning, limits daily activities, or is accompanied by swelling, stiffness, tingling, or weakness. Significant injury, deformity, fever with a hot swollen joint, or sudden severe symptoms need prompt medical attention.
Will I need an X-ray or MRI?
Not everyone needs imaging. A clinician may recommend an X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, or other testing based on your history and examination and whether the result would change treatment.
What non-surgical options may help elbow pain?
Depending on the cause, options may include modifying aggravating activities, guided exercises or therapy, medication when appropriate, bracing, or selected injections. The best approach depends on the diagnosis and your health.
This information is for general education and is not a substitute for an individualized medical evaluation. Seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
ORTHOFAIRFAX · FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
Questions about elbow pain?
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