Why does it hurt when I bend my elbow?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Elbow pain when bending is commonly caused by tendon inflammation (such as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow), nerve compression like cubital tunnel syndrome, or joint inflammation from arthritis or bursitis. The pain may worsen with gripping, lifting, or repetitive motion, and can range from mild discomfort to sharp, limiting pain.

Because these causes require different treatments, identifying the source of your elbow pain is essential to finding relief and preventing further injury. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you evaluate your symptoms in minutes, narrow down possible causes, and guide your next steps—whether that means self-care at home or seeing a specialist.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Common causes of pain when bending the elbow include:

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) - inflammation of tendons on the outer part of the elbow
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) - inflammation of tendons on the inner part of the elbow
Cubital tunnel syndrome - compression of the ulnar nerve that runs through the elbow
Bursitis - inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint
Arthritis - wear and tear of the joint causing inflammation
Trauma or injury - including sprains, strains, fractures, or dislocations that can occur from falls, sports injuries, or accidents affecting the elbow joint

Mild pain often improves with rest and basic treatments. If you're experiencing persistent elbow pain and want to better understand your symptoms, try our free symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine whether you should see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

(References)

Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538259/
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Tennis elbow. [Updated 2022 Jul 15]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK506998/
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Golfer's elbow. [Updated 2022 Jul 15]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507002/

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