Elbow Pain: Causes

What causes elbow pain?

Elbow pain is caused by damage to the muscles, tendons, bones, or other tissues that make up the elbow joint. Generally, elbow pain is caused by inflammation or an injury, such as a blow to the elbow or a repetitive use injury. Less commonly, elbow pain may be related to an infection, a growth, a pinched nerve, or even cancer.

Common causes of elbow pain

Elbow pain is often caused by an injury to the elbow or an inflammation of the elbow including:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa sac that cushions a joint)
• Bone fracture
• Dislocation
• Overuse injury
• Sports injuries
• Tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon)

Other causes of elbow pain

Elbow pain can also be caused by a variety of systemic conditions including:

• Cyst (benign sac that contains fluid, air, or other materials)
• Fibromyalgia (chronic condition that causes pain, stiffness and tenderness)
• Infection in the elbow
• Nerve entrapment or compression, such as of the ulnar nerve in the arm
• Surgery

Serious or life-threatening causes of elbow pain

In some cases, elbow pain may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. These include:

• Serious bone fracture
• Tumor

Questions for diagnosing the cause of elbow pain

To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your elbow pain including:

• How long have you felt pain in your elbow?
• Do you have any other symptoms?
• Do you have arthritis?
• Do you use your elbow frequently?
• Have you had a recent injury?
• What makes your elbow pain feel worse or better?

What are the potential complications of elbow pain?

Often, elbow pain is mild and will resolve on its own. Mild and moderate elbow pain may improve after treatment with cold compresses or pain medication. In serious cases, such as a fractured bone, more invasive treatment may be required.

Because elbow pain can be due to serious diseases, failure to seek treatment can result in serious complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:

• Permanent loss of sensation
• Permanent nerve damage (due to a pinched nerve), including paralysis
• Permanent or chronic pain
• Spread of cancer
• Spread of infection

References:

Elbow injuries and disorders. Medline Plus, a service of the National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/elbowinjuriesanddisorders.html. Accessed May 11, 2011.

Broken bone. Medline Plus, a service of the National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000001.htm. Accessed May 11, 2011.