Elbow Pain

Elbow pain that comes on suddenly can be caused from various injuries such as, sprains, strains, fractures, muscle strain, bursitis, or tendonitis. Common causes of acute elbow pain include sports injuries, car accidents, falls, improper lifting techniques, prolonged computer use and overexertion.

Chronic elbow pain may also develop due to overuse injuries due to repetitive motions, inflammation, or arthritis due to aging and degeneration of the cartilage in the elbow joint, which can cause pain and stiffness. The cartilage defect may expose bone, leading to pain from the presence of free nerve endings.

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) and Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) are common overuse injuries affecting anyone who frequently grips, lifts, or swings—whether in sports, workouts, or physically demanding jobs. They result from repetitive stress on the tendons in the forearm, leading to pain and inflammation. Golfer’s elbow is located at the bony prominence of the elbow that is closest to the body when the arm is at rest, while tennis elbow is found at the bony prominence of the outer elbow.