Elbow Pain
Is this your symptom?
- Pain in the elbow
- Includes minor muscle strains from hard work or sports (overuse)
- If pain was caused by an injury, see Elbow Injury care guide
Causes of Elbow Pain
- Muscle Overuse(strained muscles). Elbow pains are often from hard muscle work or sports. Examples are too much throwing or tennis. This type of pain can last from hours up to 7 days.
- Trapped Nerves. The nerves in the neck or arm can become trapped or squeezed where they pass through narrow spaces in the arm. This causes pain, numbness or tingling. Nerves trapped in the neck can cause severe pain and loss of movement in the shoulder and arm. Similar nerve problems can happen at the elbow. Viral Illness. Mild muscle aches and joint pain in the arms also happen with many viral illnesses.
- Joint Inflammation. Examples are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout. Some, like gout, may affect just one joint. Others affect multiple joints at the same time. Osteoarthritis is due to wear and tear on the joints. It can cause pain, stiffness and loss of movement. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the same joint(s) on both sides of the body. Early treatment may help prevent long-term damage to the joints involved.
- Septic Arthritis (serious). This is a bacterial infection of a joint space. Main symptoms are fever and severe pain when you move the joint. It may not be possible to move the joint at all. This needs care right away.
- Tendinitis is inflammation of tendons where they attach to the bone, caused by overuse. This causes tenderness in the area and pain when the limb is moved or used. Often needs a long period of rest from the activity that caused it. A steroid shot may be needed to reduce the pain.
- Bursitis. Many joints are covered by fluid-filled sacs called bursae. They help the joint move smoothly. These bursae can get inflamed or infected, causing pain and swelling. The area may look red and feel warm to touch. See your doctor right away if you have these symptoms.
Pain Scale
- Mild: you feel some pain, but it does not keep you from any normal activities. Work, chores and sleep are not changed.
- Moderate: the pain keeps you from doing some normal activities. It may wake you up from sleep.
- Severe: the pain is very bad. It keeps you from doing all normal activities.
When to Call for Elbow Pain
Call 911 Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call 911 Now
- You have any of these symptoms:
- chest pain or discomfort
- feel weak, dizzy, or faint
- pain in the jaw, neck or back
- trouble breathing
- nausea or vomiting
- You think you have a life-threatening emergency
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Severe pain when arm is touched or moved
- Muscles are weak (loss of strength)
- Loss of feeling lasts more than 1 hour
- Bright red area on skin with lines tracking out from the area
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Rash or area of blisters on the arm
- Pain gets worse over several days
- Can't move the elbow normally
- Swollen elbow
- You have a cast that :
- is too tight or too loose
- feels uncomfortable
- has gotten wet
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Elbow pain lasts more than 7 days
- Elbow pains happen often
- Elbow pain keeps you from working or other activities
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Caused by overusing the arm
- Mild elbow pain
Care Advice for a Strained Elbow
- What You Should Know About Mild Elbow Pain:
- Strained muscles, tendons and ligaments are common after using them too much during sports or other activities.
- Examples are throwing a ball over and over again, playing tennis or pulling weeds from a garden.
- Weekend warriors who are out of shape get the most muscle pains.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
- Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, take an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
- Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
- If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.
- Cold Pack for Pain:
- For pain or swelling, use a cold pack. You can also use ice wrapped in a wet cloth.
- Put it on the sore muscles for 20 minutes.
- Repeat 4 times on the first day, then as needed.
- Caution: avoid frostbite by wrapping the ice pack. Do not put ice directly onto the skin.
- Use Heat After 48 Hours:
- If pain lasts more than 2 days, put heat on the sore muscle.
- Use a heat pack, heating pad or warm wet washcloth.
- Do this for 10 minutes, then as needed.
- Reason: increase blood flow and improve healing.
- Caution: avoid burns by wrapping the heat pack. Do not put it directly onto the skin.
- Rest the Elbow:
- Rest the painful area as much as possible for 48 hours. Keep the fingers and other joints moving gently if you can.
- Keep the elbow and hand raised on a pillow beside you or held across your chest to help limit swelling.
- What to Expect:
- A strained muscle hurts for 2 or 3 days.
- The pain often peaks on day 2.
- After severe overuse, the pain may last a week or more.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Fever or swollen joint occurs
- Pain lasts more than 7 days
- Pain gets worse over several days
- You think you need to be seen
And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.
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