Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Elbow pain is often caused by overuse or injury. Many sports, hobbies and jobs require repetitive hand, wrist or arm movements. Elbow pain can be the result of problems with bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments or joints. Elbow pain may occasionally be due to arthritis. But in general, your elbow joint is much less likely to have wear-and-tear damage than are many other joints.

Common causes of elbow pain include:

  1. Broken arm
  2. Bursitis
  3. Cervical disc herniation
  4. Dislocated elbow
  5. Golfer's elbow
  6. Gout
  7. Osteoarthritis
  8. Osteochondritis dissecans
  9. Reactive arthritis
  10. Rheumatoid arthritis
  11. Septic arthritis
  12. Shoulder problems
  13. Sprains (and strains)
  14. Stress fractures
  15. Tendinitis
  16. Tennis elbow
  17. Throwing injuries
  18. Trapped nerves

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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April 29, 2023

See also

  1. Golfer's elbow
  2. Hemophilia
  3. Tennis elbow
  4. Wiiitis