What could cause pain in the elbow joint when twisting my arm?

When you twist your arm, certain tendons in your elbow are put under stress. This can sometimes lead to conditions like medial epicondylitis (often called golfer's elbow) or lateral epicondylitis (often called tennis elbow). Medial epicondylitis affects the inner side of the elbow and is usually due to repeated stress on the muscles that help bend your wrist and forearm.

Lateral epicondylitis affects the outer side of the elbow and comes from overusing the muscles that extend your wrist and fingers. Both conditions can cause pain especially during movements like twisting your arm and extension/flexion of the wrist.

Other possible causes could be a minor sprain, tendon irritation, or wear and tear in the joint itself. Factors that add to the risk include doing the same motion over and over again or using poor techniques while doing sports or work activities.

It is a good idea to rest the arm, apply ice, and avoid motions that worsen the pain. To better understand what might be causing your elbow discomfort, you can use a free symptom checker for personalized guidance before speaking with a healthcare professional for a detailed examination and proper advice.