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. Pseudogout
  10. Reactive arthritis
  11. Rheumatoid arthritis
  12. Septic arthritis
  13. Shoulder problems
  14. Sprains (and strains)
  15. Stress fractures
  16. Tendinitis
  17. Tennis elbow
  18. Throwing injuries
  19. Trapped nerves

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