Elbow And Arm Pain

Overview

Elbow and arm pain is pain anywhere between your shoulder and your hand. It is not one single illness. It is a symptom that can come from muscles, tendons (the strong cords that join muscle to bone), ligaments (the bands that join bone to bone), nerves, joints or bones. Most of the time the cause is a strain or overuse, and the pain settles with rest and gentle exercise. Sometimes the pain is a sign of something that needs a doctor's check, so it is worth knowing what to look out for.

Yes, it is very common. Elbow and arm pain is one of the everyday reasons people visit a doctor, pharmacist or physiotherapist. Problems like tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are seen all the time in general practice.

Anyone can get it, at any age. It is more common in people who use their arms a lot for work or hobbies, such as cooks, cleaners, builders, hairdressers, gardeners, computer users and people who play racket sports. Children often get it after a fall or during sport, and older adults are more likely to have it from wear-and-tear arthritis or a tendon that has weakened over time.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Ache or sharp pain on the outside or inside of the elbow
• Pain when gripping, lifting, twisting a lid, or carrying a bag
• Tenderness when you press on the bony bump of the elbow
• Weakness in the hand or forearm, or dropping things
• Stiffness, especially first thing in the morning
• Swelling or warmth around the elbow
• Tingling, pins and needles or numbness spreading into the hand or fingers
• Pain that gets worse with repeated movement and eases with rest

Symptoms in children

• Crying and not using the arm after being pulled by the hand or lifted by the wrist — this is a common minor injury in toddlers and is sometimes called a pulled elbow
• Holding the arm still and refusing to move it after a fall
• Swelling or bruising after a tumble or sports injury
• Pain that keeps a child awake at night, or pain with no clear injury — this should always be checked by a doctor

Symptoms in older adults

• Gradual aching and stiffness from wear-and-tear arthritis in the elbow or shoulder
• Tendon pain that comes on without a clear injury because tendons get weaker with age
• Pain in the arm that is actually coming from the neck or shoulder — this is called referred pain
• Bones that break more easily after a fall, so any strong pain after a fall needs checking

Causes

Main causes

• Overuse of tendons — tennis elbow (pain on the outside) and golfer's elbow (pain on the inside) are the most common causes
• Muscle strain or a stretched ligament from lifting, twisting or a sudden movement
• A sprain, bruise or fracture after a fall or knock
• Nerve pressure — for example at the elbow, which can cause tingling in the little finger and ring finger, or at the wrist
• Referred pain from the neck or shoulder, where the problem is in the spine but you feel it in the arm
• Arthritis of the elbow or shoulder, including wear-and-tear arthritis and inflammatory types
• Bursitis — a small fluid-filled cushion near the elbow becomes swollen and sore
• Rarely, other medical conditions, which is why ongoing pain should be checked

Risk factors

• Repeated gripping, lifting, twisting or typing
• A sudden jump in how much or how hard you exercise
• Racket sports, throwing sports, climbing and weight training
• Manual work such as building, cooking, cleaning, hairdressing or gardening
• Poor posture or an awkward desk and chair set-up
• Getting older, because tendons and joints weaken gradually
• Smoking and diabetes, which can slow healing and affect nerves
• A previous injury to the same arm
• Being overweight, which puts extra strain on joints

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Chest pain with arm pain, or arm pain with breathlessness, sweating or feeling faint — call your local emergency number straight away
• Any serious injury, deformity or loss of feeling in the arm
• A hot, red, swollen elbow with a fever
• Sudden weakness or numbness in the arm or hand
• Pain that is getting worse quickly or is unbearable

Book a routine appointment if:

• Pain that has not improved after two to three weeks of rest and simple self-care
• Pain that keeps coming back or stops you doing your job or sport
• Weakness or tingling in the hand that comes and goes
• Stiffness that is getting worse over months
• Pain with no clear cause, especially if you also feel unwell or lose weight without trying

Diagnosis

A doctor or physiotherapist will usually start by asking what the pain feels like, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what you do for work and hobbies. They will then look at and gently feel your arm, elbow, shoulder and neck, ask you to move and grip, and check the feeling and strength in your hand. This simple check is often enough to work out the likely cause.

Tests that may be done

• Physical examination of the elbow, shoulder, neck and hand
• An X-ray if a broken bone or arthritis is possible
• An ultrasound scan, which can show tendons and swelling
• Blood tests if an inflammatory condition is suspected
• Nerve tests, used only in some cases of lasting numbness or weakness

What to expect at your appointment

Most people do not need any scans. If you do need a test, it is usually quick and is used to rule things in or out rather than to find something serious. You may be given advice and exercises on the same day, or referred to a physiotherapist. If your symptoms change or do not settle as expected, go back and say so.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause, but the good news is that most elbow and arm pain improves without surgery. The first steps are usually to ease the strain on the arm, keep it gently moving, and build strength back up slowly. A physiotherapist can teach you the right exercises for your problem. Doctors may suggest pain relief to help you keep moving comfortably, but medicine is there to support recovery, not replace it.

Self-care at home

• Rest the arm from the activity that caused the pain, but do not stop using it completely — gentle movement helps healing
• Use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth for up to 15 to 20 minutes at a time in the first few days
• Ask a pharmacist about everyday pain relief that is suitable for you
• Try an elbow strap or support if it makes gripping more comfortable
• Change how you do things: use both hands, take breaks, and keep the wrist straight when gripping
• Adjust your desk, chair, mouse and keyboard so your arms are relaxed and supported
• Return to sport or heavy work gradually, starting with lighter loads
• Do the exercises you are given, even on days when the pain is low

Medical treatments

Your doctor or physiotherapist may suggest a structured exercise programme to strengthen the tendons and muscles around the elbow. They may also discuss other options if simple measures are not enough, such as a supportive strap, a course of physiotherapy, or in some cases an injection given by a specialist. Which option suits you depends on the cause, your other health conditions and your preferences, so this is a decision to make together with your healthcare team. Surgery is not usually needed.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is only considered for a small number of people — for example, when a nerve is clearly trapped and not settling, when a tendon is badly torn, or when a broken bone needs to be held in place. Your doctor would explain the benefits and risks and refer you to a specialist if this seemed right for you.

Living with this condition

Elbow and arm pain can make ordinary tasks like opening jars, carrying shopping or using a keyboard feel difficult. Try to pace yourself: do a bit, then rest, rather than pushing through pain. Small changes — a lighter bag, a jar opener, a cushion under your forearm, a headset for calls — can make a real difference. Most people find things improve steadily over a few weeks to a few months.

Lifestyle tips

• Build strength gradually rather than in sudden bursts
• Warm up before sport and cool down afterwards
• Take regular short breaks from repeated tasks, and stretch gently
• Keep your whole arm and shoulder strong with general activity like walking, swimming or light weights
• If you smoke, quitting helps healing and circulation — ask your pharmacist or doctor for support
• Aim for a healthy weight to reduce strain on your joints

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet for elbow and arm pain, but eating a balanced diet with enough protein, calcium and vitamin D supports muscles and bones. Gentle movement is better than total rest: start with range-of-movement exercises, then add light strengthening as the pain allows. Stop any exercise that sharply increases pain, and build up slowly over weeks rather than days.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Ongoing pain can wear you down. It can affect sleep, mood, work and confidence, and it is completely normal to feel frustrated when your arm is not working as it should. Talk to someone you trust, and tell your doctor if low mood or worry is building up. Support is available, and you do not have to cope alone.

Prevention

You cannot prevent every injury, but you can lower your risk. Build up new activities gradually, vary repetitive tasks, keep your grip relaxed, set up your desk so your arms are supported, and keep your arm, shoulder and neck muscles strong. Warming up before sport and taking breaks during repeated work both help a lot.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine for elbow and arm pain. Staying up to date with routine vaccinations is still good general health advice, and some vaccines are given into the arm, so mention any arm problem to the person giving the injection.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for elbow and arm pain. The best approach is to notice changes early — if pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps coming back, or comes with numbness or weakness, get it checked.

Complications

If left untreated

• Pain that lasts longer and becomes harder to shift
• Weakness or loss of grip strength
• Stiffness in the elbow or shoulder if the arm is kept still for too long
• Lasting numbness or tingling if a nerve stays squeezed
• Difficulty with work, sport, sleep and everyday tasks
• Low mood or worry about the pain

Long-term outlook

The outlook is good for most people. Simple overuse injuries usually settle within a few weeks to a few months with rest, gentle exercise and a gradual return to normal activity. Some problems take longer, and a few people need extra help from a physiotherapist or specialist, but the great majority recover well and get back to the things they enjoy.

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