Why Does Your Elbow Hurt Even Though You Haven’t Injured It?
You haven’t fallen on it.
You haven’t knocked it against anything.
You cannot remember doing anything unusual.
Yet your elbow has started to ache.
Maybe it hurts when you pick up a coffee cup. Perhaps gripping something at work makes it worse. Or you notice a nagging discomfort whenever you straighten your arm.
So what is going on?
Elbow pain does not always begin with one obvious injury.
The elbow is involved in hundreds of everyday movements, from typing and carrying shopping to lifting weights, using tools and opening jars.
Sometimes the problem is not one dramatic event. It is the cumulative effect of repeatedly asking the area to handle more load than it has recently been accustomed to.
Your elbow does more work than you realise:
Think about how often you use your hands and arms throughout the day.
You might:
- type at a computer
- use a mouse
- carry shopping bags
- lift your children
- use tools
- play tennis
- train at the gym
- garden
- cook
- clean
- drive
Your elbow sits between your hand and shoulder, helping transfer forces as you grip, lift, push and pull.
That means an issue around the elbow may be influenced by what you are doing with your wrist, hand, shoulder or upper back as well.
Elbow pain can build gradually:
One of the confusing things about elbow pain is that there may be no obvious moment when it started.
Consider someone who begins a new gym programme.
They increase their pulling exercises, add more bicep work and start doing extra grip exercises.
Everything feels fine for the first couple of weeks.
Then the outside of the elbow starts aching.
There was no injury.
But the amount of work the area was doing changed.
Your body adapts to repeated demands:
Tissues generally become accustomed to the activities you regularly perform.
If the demands suddenly increase, your body may take time to adapt.
This can happen with exercise, work, hobbies and even household tasks.
The increase does not have to be dramatic.
A few extra hours of gardening each weekend can be enough to make a difference if your body was not used to it.
Could it be tennis elbow?
Despite its name, you do not need to play tennis to develop tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy, involves pain around the outside of the elbow and is commonly associated with activities involving repeated gripping and wrist or forearm loading.
You might notice discomfort when:
- gripping a tool
- lifting a kettle
- carrying a bag
- shaking hands
- using a computer mouse
- lifting weights
- playing a racquet sport
The pain can develop gradually rather than following one specific injury.
However, not every case of pain on the outside of the elbow is tennis elbow.
Several conditions can produce similar symptoms, so an assessment may be needed if the pain persists.
What about golfer’s elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is another condition that can develop without an obvious injury.
It typically involves pain around the inside of the elbow and can be associated with repeated gripping, lifting or wrist movements.
Again, you do not have to play golf.
Tradespeople, gym-goers, gardeners, racquet-sport players and people performing repetitive manual tasks can all place significant demands on the forearm and elbow.
The name describes a common association, not a requirement.
Your wrist and shoulder can influence your elbow:
The elbow does not work alone.
The muscles and tendons around your forearm attach near the elbow and control movements of your wrist and hand.
Your shoulder also influences how your arm moves and where forces are transferred.
For this reason, an assessment of elbow pain may look beyond the elbow itself.
If your elbow hurts during a particular movement, it can be useful to consider what your wrist, forearm and shoulder are doing at the same time.
The painful spot is not always the only part worth examining.
When does elbow pain need urgent attention?
Seek prompt medical assessment if your elbow pain follows a significant injury and you cannot use the arm normally, or if there is major swelling, deformity or severe pain.
You should also seek appropriate medical care if elbow pain occurs with significant redness, warmth, fever or other symptoms suggesting an infection or systemic illness.
Sudden weakness or significant numbness in the arm or hand should also be assessed promptly.
Can a chiropractor help with elbow pain?
Depending on the cause, chiropractic care may be appropriate for some types of musculoskeletal elbow and arm pain.
An assessment may consider your elbow, wrist, forearm, shoulder and upper-back movement, as well as your work, exercise, previous injuries and daily activities.
Management may include hands-on care, exercises, movement advice or modifications to activities, depending on your individual presentation.
If your symptoms suggest that another healthcare professional should assess the problem, referral may be recommended.
FAQ
Why does my elbow hurt when I haven’t injured it?
Elbow pain can develop gradually from repeated gripping, lifting, exercise, work tasks or other activities that increase the load on the elbow and forearm. An obvious injury is not always involved.
Can you get tennis elbow without playing tennis?
Yes. Tennis elbow is commonly associated with repeated gripping and forearm loading, so it can occur in people who have never played tennis.
What causes pain on the inside of the elbow?
Pain on the inside of the elbow can have several causes. Repeated gripping, lifting and wrist movements may contribute to conditions such as golfer’s elbow, but other causes are possible.
Why does my elbow hurt when I grip things?
Gripping activates muscles in the forearm that attach around the elbow. Repeated or increased gripping can increase the load through these tissues and may contribute to pain.
Should I stop exercising if my elbow hurts?
Not necessarily. You may be able to modify your exercise by changing the load, repetitions or movements. However, progressively worsening pain should not be ignored.
When should I see someone about elbow pain?
Consider an assessment if pain persists, worsens, affects your work or exercise, causes weakness or is associated with numbness or tingling. Significant injury, major swelling or deformity requires prompt medical assessment.
If you have noticed that one side consistently feels weaker, less stable or harder to control during exercise, an individual assessment may help you understand why. Wellbeing Chiropractic has clinics across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Book an appointment to discuss your symptoms, activity levels and movement, and explore appropriate options based on your individual assessment.
