Within NTIMS, we provide specialist assessment and treatment management of elbow symptoms.

Elbow pain can result from ageing of the joint or overloading the tendons around the joint. It could be due to an injury from sport or repetitive movements of the elbow. It may also be due to a flare-up of an existing problem.

You don’t normally need to see a healthcare professional. New onset or flare-up of a long-standing elbow problem should begin to settle within 6 weeks. You may feel some pain in the muscles around your elbow and down to your wrist.

  • Elbow pain is common without damage to the joint.
  • Clicking and creaking of the elbow is common and is rarely a sign of harm or damage.
  • Steroid injections are generally not recommended for outer or inner elbow pain.  
  • Even if you have had elbow pain for a long time, it can often improve with the right management – consistency is key!
  • Your elbow can become healthier and stronger with regular movement and exercise.
  • X-ray and scans are not usually needed to diagnose elbow pain.
  • X-ray and scans are not able to tell us how much pain you are experiencing.
  • X-rays and scans often will identify osteoarthritis or joint space narrowing which are common findings in the elbow, even in those that do not have elbow pain and this will often not change the management of the condition.
  • X-rays and scans are best used when there is suspicion of serious injury ie broken bone, or conditions such as cancer or infections.

  • The main issues can be:

    • Pain

    • Swelling

    • Stiffness

    • Tingling and/or numbness in or around the elbow or hand

  • Pain to the outer aspect of the elbow is often called ‘tennis elbow’.
  • Pain to the inner aspect of the elbow is often called ‘golfer's elbow’.

  • Keeping the joint moving is an essential part of treatment and recovery. This is important to prevent the joint from becoming stiff. Keeping the muscles and joints strong and flexible
  • Within the first 48 hours, it may be necessary to ease back a little on usual activities and ‘relatively rest’ the painful areas.
  • Using heat and/ or cold packs can be beneficial
  • Improving your sleep and general health is also important for elbow pain.

  • Medication can help to reduce the pain and help you move more comfortably. This can help your recovery.
  • Taking regular basic pain relief can be very important at first. Paracetamol and/or ibuprofen as advised can help ease symptoms.

Resting or moving?

  • Within the first 24 to 48 hours after an elbow injury you should try to:
  • Rest your elbow but avoid long spells of not moving at all
  • Move your elbow gently for 10 to 20 seconds every hour when you are awake

 

After 48 hours:

  • Try to use your arm more – exercise really helps your elbow and can relieve pain.
  • Do what you normally do and stay at, or return to work – this is important and is the best way to get better. You may need to adapt how you do things initially.
  • Avoid sports or heavy lifting until you have less discomfort and good movement.

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)

a00790_therapeutic-exercise-program-for-epicondylitis_final.pdf (aaos.org)

 

Osteoarthritis

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-elbow-and-shoulder/

 

Basic elbow exercises

Exercises for Elbow Stiffness – British Elbow & Shoulder Society (bess.ac.uk)

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-elbows/

 

Help and support

  • If after six weeks you have tried the advice and exercise suggested and your symptoms haven’t improved, a self-referral to NTIMS may be beneficial.
  • Click here for self-referral