15 Dec Common Elbow Conditions
The elbow is arguably one of the most used joints in the body. It allows us to bend our arm, which means it is used for most daily activities. From scratching your noise to playing sports, your elbow is a necessity. This means that when something is wrong with your elbow, it can be extremely frustrating and seriously impact your quality of life. Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to know which elbow condition you’re experiencing, as there are so many of them. Let’s take a look at some of the most common elbow ailments, to give you a better idea of what you might be dealing with.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is one of the most common elbow conditions. It arises from repetitive stress on the tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the bone. Symptoms include pain on the outside of the elbow, pain that radiates from the elbow down to the back of the hand, and a weakened ability to grip objects.
Fortunately, tennis elbow is extremely treatable. For minor cases, rest, icing the elbow, and the use of over-the-counter pain relievers may be all that is necessary. If these are not enough, physical therapy and the use of corticosteroids may be used. In rare cases, surgery may be needed to repair the tendon.
Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow is extremely similar to tennis elbow. It is also caused by repetitive stress being placed on a tendon in the elbow. The main difference is that a golfer’s elbow will cause pain on the inside of the elbow, rather than on the outside as is seen with tennis elbow. A weak grip, pain that radiates from the elbow to the wrist, and numbness of the pinky finger are also symptoms of golfer’s elbow.
Usually, icing the area, rest, and NSAIDs are all that is needed to treat a golfer’s elbow. In more severe cases, physical therapy and corticosteroid injections may be used. In the most severe of cases, surgical intervention may be needed. Please remember NSAIDS, even those obtained over the counter, can have side effects so please discuss your use of them with your health care provider.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome is when the ulnar nerve, more commonly known as the funny bone, gets compressed or irritated at the elbow. Common symptoms of this condition include numbness of the pinky and ring fingers, weakness in the hand, and pain on the inside of the elbow. In advanced cases, muscle atrophy in the hand may occur.
Treatment usually takes the form of a brace, which can take pressure off of the ulnar nerve. This is often combined with physical therapy exercises. If this is not enough, surgery may be required. Surgery involves relieving pressure from the nerve or relocating the nerve to a position where it will not experience compression.
Olecranon Bursitis
Olecranon bursitis is when the fluid-filled sac at the tip of the elbow, called the bursa, becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be caused by trauma, prolonged pressure on the elbow, or infection. Symptoms usually include swelling of the elbow, mild pain that worsens with use of the elbow, and redness of the skin covering the elbow area.
Olecranon bursitis treatment usually involves rest, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, and avoiding certain activities that put repetitive pressure or stress on the elbow while it recovers. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the bursa entirely.
When to See a Doctor for an Elbow Conditions
For severe pain or fi over the course of a few days, symptoms do not improve with rest and the use of over-the-counter medications, it is time to see a doctor. They will be able to accurately diagnose the specific condition you are suffering from and put together a personalized treatment plan. Remember, many elbow conditions will worsen over time, eventually requiring surgery. For this reason, it is vital that you see a doctor as soon as possible. The earlier you see a doctor, the easier treatment will be and the better your chances of making a full recovery.
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Last Updated on December 15, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD