Elbow pain

What is it?

• Pain is felt over the outside of the elbow joint. This can be constant pain or pain that comes and goes
• It is normally very tender pressing on this area
• The pain may spread down into the forearm
• This is a type of tendon pain that relates to overuse or underuse of the muscles in your forearm
• This is normally due to a change in load (increase or decrease) in the muscles in your forearm that attach at your elbow

What normally makes it worse:

• Gripping
• Carrying objects

What can I do to help myself?

• At first, try to avoid doing things that cause you pain
• Exercise can be helpful to improve your symptoms
• You could use a tennis elbow strap to reduce your symptoms
• Over the counter pain relief medication may help
• The use of heat or cold packs may help your symptoms, BUT:
• Do not apply directly on the skin
• Do not use ice longer than 10 minutes
• Do not use heat for more than 15-20minutes
• Steroid injections and surgery are rarely needed and may cause further problems in the long-term.

AskDoctorJo - Video with exercises and stretches

 

If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us please contact:

First Community (Head Office)

Call: 01737 775450 Email:    fchc.enquiries@nhs.net    Text: 07814 639034

Address: First Community Health and Care, Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 5RA.

For office use only: Version 1 PFD_TS090(4) Publication date: April 2025

What is it?

• Pain is felt over the inside of the elbow joint. This can be constant pain or pain that comes and goes
• It is normally very tender pressing on this area
• The pain may spread down into the forearm
• This is a type of tendinopathy
• This is normally due to a change in load (increase or decrease) in the muscles in your forearm that attach at your elbow.

What normally makes it worse:

• Gripping
• Carrying objects
• moving your wrist
• Straightening your arm

What can you do?

• Avoid or reduce activities that make your symptoms worse initially
• Exercises can be used to improve the wrist flexibility and strength as well as grip strength. Ideally, we want to start off gently and slowly build up
• Try wearing a forearm strap or a wrist or elbow brace - you can buy these from pharmacies or on Amazon. This will help offload the tendon and help ease your pain. They are not however a substitute for the exercise
• Use paracetamol or rub an anti-inflammatory gel onto the affected area to help ease the pain
• Try using a hot or cold pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the affected area for up to 10minutes a few times a day (be careful of burns, do not apply hot or cold directly on the skin)
• Steroid injections are used rarely as the evidence shows that, although there is good short-term relief, the symptoms will recur after a few months.

Ask Doctor Jo Video with exercises and stretches

 

If you would like this information in another format, for example large print or easy read, or if you need help communicating with us please contact:

First Community (Head Office)

Call: 01737 775450 Email:  fchc.enquiries@nhs.net  Text: 07814 639034

Address: First Community Health and Care, Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 5RA.

For office use only: Version 1 PFD_TS090(4) Publication date: April 2025