What Could Cause My Elbow to Hurt After Being Bent?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

Elbow pain after bending can be related to previous injury, arthritis, or other conditions causing inflammation.

Explanation

Pain in your elbow after bending may be caused by an old injury that hasn't healed properly. Trauma—such as falling or hitting your elbow—can cause fractures, ligament injuries, or dislocations. These injuries can lead to scar tissue forming inside the elbow joint which can then make your elbow stiff and painful when bending, a condition known as posttraumatic elbow stiffness. Arthritis and other inflammatory conditions can also cause elbow pain after bending. In addition to these conditions, tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) and bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint) commonly develop from repetitive motions or overuse of the elbow. These conditions often worsen with continued bending movements. If your pain persists or worsens, you should see a doctor for evaluation.

(References)

Liman MNP, Avva U, Ashurst JV, et al. Elbow Trauma. [Updated 2024 Apr 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542228/
Mittal R. Posttraumatic stiff elbow. Indian J Orthop. 2017 Jan-Feb;51(1):4-13. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.197514. PMID: 28216745; PMCID: PMC5296847.
Pan BQ, Huang J, Ni JD, Yan MM, Xia Q. Multiple rare causes of post-traumatic elbow stiffness in an adolescent patient: A case report and review of literature. World J Clin Cases. 2019 May 26;7(10):1191-1199. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i10.1191. PMID: 31183352; PMCID: PMC6547331.
Layson J, Best BJ. Elbow Dislocation. [Updated 2023 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549817/

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