What causes elbow pain?

• repetitive movements or a sudden increase/decrease in activities e.g. using hand tools, electronic devices or gardening
• an injury or fall
• nerve irritation - pain travelling from the neck into the shoulder/elbow
• weakness in the shoulder muscles which also affects the elbow muscles
• other conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia
• factors such as poor sleep, stress or anxiety, feeling run down, obesity or smoking

What are the symptoms?

You may experience constant or intermittent (comes and goes) symptoms that are aggravated by certain activities and reduced by others. They may include:

• Pain over the outer part of the elbow joint is often referred to as 'tennis elbow'
• Pain over the inside part of the elbow joint is often referred to as 'golfer's elbow'
• Reduced grip strength and/or pain on gripping
• reduced movement, stiffness and/or swelling
• Tinglingn or numbness in/or around the elbow or hand

Self Help

Pain / symptoms will normally settle within 6-8 weeks without medical intervention. Try some of these self-help measures to aid your recovery:

• For the first few days after the onset of pain - changing or reducing your usual activities may help. However, gradually returning to all your usual activities and exercise is important to help your recovery
• Apply heat (e.g. a wheat pack) or ice to the area as and when needed
• Using an elbow clasp/support during repetitive or heavier tasks in the short-term
• Try to stay at work, or return as soon as you are able to. Your GP, Employer or Health Practitioner should be able to support a graded return to your normal duties
• General aerobic exercise such as walking, can help the body's natural pain relief system
• Try a short course of simple pain medication as advised by your pharmacist
• Good sleep habits and managing stress can help you cope better with your pain
• Try some of the exercises on these pages and build up gradually

Should I refer myself to Physiotherapy?

If you have tried the self-help measures on these pages and the symptoms have not settled, you can self-refer to MSK Physiotherapy if you live in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.

For more information on how to self-refer to MSK Physiotherapy visit our Service Page.

When should I seek urgent medical advice?

Call 111 for advice or visit your local Walk-In Centre if you have:

• had a fall or an accident and have pain that isn't easing and you are unable to move your elbow / arm
• a sudden loss of power and/or loss of feeling in one or both arms
• any colour or temperature changes to the elbow or arm
• a painful, red, hot and swollen elbow and you have a high temperature

General Elbow Advice and/or Exercises

• Caring for your Tennis Elbow (UHL)

Elbow Injury or Surgery - Advice and Information

• Exercises After Elbow Injury (UHL)
• Exercises After Elbow Surgery (UHL)

Other Useful Resources

• British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS)
• Understanding Sleep and how to improve it for your wellbeing (UHL)