Why Do I Feel Pain When Bending and Straightening my Elbow?

Elbow pain can feel like a minor inconvenience, but when tasks like carrying groceries, typing on a keyboard, or even brushing your teeth become uncomfortable, it can have a real impact on your daily life. Whether it’s a dull ache or a sharp jolt of pain, that nagging discomfort when you’re bending or straightening your elbow deserves attention and healing.

5 potential causes of elbow pain

The key to finding lasting, effective relief for any kind of joint ache or pain is to know exactly what’s causing it in the first place. Elbow pain is often linked to specific conditions that affect the joints, tendons, or nerves in the area. It can sometimes also feel like your pain is coming from the elbow when something is wrong in your shoulder or elsewhere in your arm.

Having a physical therapist or other medical professional examine the area, run a few tests, and listen to your symptoms is the gold standard in achieving an accurate diagnosis. In many cases, even when we’re armed with internet research, we are often too close to our own discomfort to have a clear idea of why something hurts.

As you explore the symptoms of some of these common elbow conditions, keep in mind that many of these conditions share symptoms, and there may be others you won’t find online that a medical professional could identify in person.

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) occurs when the tendons on the outside of the elbow are overused, leading to inflammation or microtears. While it’s commonly associated with playing tennis or other racket sports, any repetitive motion—like typing or using tools—can trigger it.

Symptoms of tennis elbow include:

• Pain on the outer side of the elbow
• Discomfort when gripping objects or shaking hands
• Weakness in the forearm

Golfer’s elbow

Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) is similar to tennis elbow, but it affects the inner tendons of the elbow. Like tennis elbow, it’s caused by repetitive motions, but more from tasks that require tight grip strength such as gardening, lifting weights, or even excessive writing.

Symptoms of golfer’s elbow include:

• Pain on the inner side of the elbow
• Stiffness in the elbow joint
• Weakness when gripping or lifting

Olecranon bursitis

Olecranon bursitis occurs when the bursa (a fluid-filled sac that cushions the elbow joint) at the tip of your elbow becomes inflamed. This inflammation can be caused by injury, prolonged pressure (like resting on your elbows for long periods), or an infection.

• Swelling at the tip of the elbow
• Sharp pain when leaning on your elbow
• Reduced range of motion

Elbow arthritis

Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the elbow. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the cartilage, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition leading to joint inflammation.

Symptoms of arthritis in the elbow include:

• Persistent pain or soreness
• Swelling or stiffness in the joint
• Grinding or locking sensation when moving the elbow

Ulnar nerve entrapment

The ulnar nerve is a highly sensitive nerve that runs through the elbow joint, but there is little soft tissue to protect it. As a result, even something as simple as leaning on your elbow too much can trigger a condition called ulnar nerve entrapment. The ulnar nerve is responsible for the sensation of “hitting your funny bone,” but in the case of entrapment involves more chronic discomfort.

Symptoms include:

• Numbness or tingling in the ring and pinky fingers
• Pain on the inner side of the elbow
• Weak grip strength

Elbow pain treatments

Physical therapy may seem like overkill for a minor pain in your elbow, but it’s a sure step toward not just relief in the short term, but also preventative care now that you know elbow pain could come back in the future.

Plus, with the guidance of a physical therapist, you have access to specialty treatments that go above and beyond simply reducing pain, whether you’re just looking to move your arm normally again or you’re hoping to get back to playing sports and participating in an active lifestyle.

Some, but not all of our treatments for elbow pain at Armor include:

• Joint mobilization/manual therapy
• Strengthening exercises
• Stretching exercises
• IASTM

Find elbow pain relief in SW Michigan

Don’t let elbow pain hold you back! At Armor Physical Therapy, we’re here to help you get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your elbow pain and create a personalized treatment plan to get you moving freely again. Whether your goal is daily pain-free activities or returning to sports performance, our team has the expertise to guide you every step of the way

Start a conversation with our team by calling one of our nearby clinic locations throughout SW Michigan or by requesting your appointment online today.