Published on: 4/28/2025
Problems with fully straightening your elbow can be caused by stiffness from an injury, inflammation in the joint, or other causes.
Difficulty extending your elbow fully may be due to elbow stiffness. This condition often develops after injuries like dislocations or fractures that damage normal joint movement. As the injury heals, scar tissue can develop inside the elbow, limiting smooth motion. Additionally, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the joint can tighten or become inflamed—as seen in tendinitis—which restricts movement. Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions in the joint can also limit how far you can extend your elbow. Sometimes the ulnar nerve can become entrapped as it passes through the elbow causing tingling, numbness, and limited movement. This nerve compression, known as cubital tunnel syndrome, can make it difficult to fully straighten the arm. Additionally, bony growths (osteophytes) from conditions like osteoarthritis can physically block complete elbow extension. Consultation with a healthcare professional can help identify the underlying cause of joint stiffness.
(References)
Siemensma MF, van der Windt AE, van Es EM, Colaris JW, Eygendaal D. Management of the stiff elbow: a literature review. EFORT Open Rev. 2023 May 9;8(5):351-360. doi: 10.1530/EOR-23-0039. PMID: 37158372; PMCID: PMC10233805.
Zwerus EL, Willigenburg NW, Scholtes VA, Somford MP, Eygendaal D, van den Bekerom MP. Normative values and affecting factors for the elbow range of motion. Shoulder Elbow. 2019 Jun;11(3):215-224. doi: 10.1177/1758573217728711. Epub 2017 Sep 11. PMID: 31210794; PMCID: PMC6555111.
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