What is an elbow injury?

The elbow is a hinge joint where the upper arm bone meets the two forearm bones, supported by ligaments on each side and surrounded by tendons that control the wrist and fingers. Common elbow injuries include lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), which are overuse tendon conditions on the outer and inner elbow. Olecranon bursitis is swelling of the sac at the tip of the elbow, often after a direct blow or prolonged leaning. Ligament sprains, distal biceps tendon injuries, and fractures can follow a fall onto an outstretched hand or a sudden load. Repetitive gripping and lifting at work frequently aggravate the tendons.

Elbow injury symptoms

Symptoms vary by the structure involved and whether the injury is from overuse or trauma. Common symptoms include:

• Pain on the outer elbow with gripping or lifting, typical of tennis elbow
• Pain on the inner elbow with wrist flexion or gripping, typical of golfer’s elbow
• Swelling and a fluid-filled bump at the tip of the elbow with bursitis
• Weak grip or difficulty carrying objects
• Stiffness or trouble fully straightening or bending the elbow
• Numbness or tingling into the forearm or fingers, suggesting nerve irritation

How an elbow injury is diagnosed

Diagnosis begins with an exam that locates tenderness, tests grip and resisted wrist movements, and checks the elbow’s range of motion and ligament stability. Specific provocation tests help distinguish tennis elbow from golfer’s elbow and identify nerve involvement such as cubital tunnel irritation. X-rays are used when a fracture, dislocation, or bone spur is suspected, especially after a fall. When a tendon tear, ligament injury, or persistent tendon problem is in question, an ultrasound or MRI can show the soft tissue in detail. Pinpointing the source of pain guides the treatment plan.

Elbow injury treatment

Most elbow injuries, particularly tendon overuse conditions and bursitis, are managed without surgery. Treatment focuses on reducing the load on irritated tendons, calming inflammation, and gradually rebuilding strength and tolerance, often using eccentric strengthening exercises that are well suited to tendon problems. Non-surgical options include:

• Physical therapy with eccentric strengthening and stretching
• Activity and ergonomic modification to reduce repetitive strain
• Counterforce bracing or a strap for tennis or golfer’s elbow
• Manual therapy to restore elbow and forearm mobility
• Pain-management techniques for swelling and discomfort

Recovery & when to see a doctor

Tendon overuse conditions of the elbow often improve over weeks to months with consistent rehabilitation, while ligament and tendon tears or fractures can take longer and need a more structured plan. Because tendon problems can recur, addressing the underlying repetitive activity is an important part of recovery. Seek evaluation if you cannot straighten or bend the elbow, if there is significant swelling or deformity after a fall, if numbness or tingling develops in the hand, or if symptoms have not improved with initial care. People seen at an ER or urgent care after an arm injury can have the elbow re-evaluated and start rehabilitation. To schedule, call (631) 560-8357.

Related care at Injury Recovery MD

• sports injury
• workers’ comp injury

Long Island offices & service areas

We treat patients across Nassau and Suffolk County from offices including Medford, Islandia, East Islip, Mineola, Bohemia, Smithtown and Stony Brook. Find your nearest office →

Not near one of our offices? We can help arrange transportation to your appointment, or coordinate your care with providers in our Long Island network — call (631) 560-8357 to ask.

elbow injury FAQ

What is the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer elbow from the tendons that extend the wrist, while golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inner elbow from the tendons that flex the wrist. Both are overuse tendon conditions but affect opposite sides of the joint.

Should I rest my elbow completely until it heals?

Complete rest is usually not the goal for tendon conditions, which tend to respond to graded strengthening rather than prolonged inactivity. A clinician can guide how to modify activity while rebuilding tolerance.

Is elbow injury treatment covered by Workers’ Comp or No-Fault?

If your elbow injury happened at work, Workers’ Comp generally covers eligible treatment, and if it resulted from a car accident, New York No-Fault generally applies. In covered cases, eligible visits are $0 out of pocket.

Why is my hand tingling with an elbow injury?

Nerves serving the hand travel through the elbow, and the ulnar nerve in particular passes through a narrow tunnel on the inner side. Swelling, leaning on the elbow, or holding it bent for long periods can irritate it, producing tingling into the ring and little fingers. Tingling or numbness that persists should be evaluated so the nerve is assessed rather than treated as tendon pain.

Will an elbow strap or brace fix tennis elbow?

A counterforce strap can reduce the pull on the irritated tendon and make daily tasks more tolerable, but it does not rebuild the tendon. Tendon problems respond to graded loading — particularly eccentric strengthening — combined with changes to the gripping and lifting that aggravate them. The brace works best as support during rehabilitation, not as a substitute for it.