Published on: 5/15/2025
Pain when fully bending your elbow may be caused by conditions affecting the tendons, muscles, or nerves.
Pain when fully bending your elbow can stem from several conditions. The most common cause is tendon inflammation, such as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow. These conditions often develop from repetitive wrist or arm movements during sports or work activities. Muscle strain near the elbow can also cause pain when bending. Sometimes, a fully bent elbow may compress nearby nerves, leading to discomfort. To ease the pain, try rest, ice, stretching, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Make sure to rest your arm when it hurts and be mindful of how you use it. If your pain persists or worsens, consult a healthcare professional to check for underlying conditions.
(References)
Barco R, Antuña SA. Medial elbow pain. EFORT Open Rev. 2017 Aug 30;2(8):362-371. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160006. PMID: 28932488; PMCID: PMC5590003.
Kheiran A, Pandey A, Pandey R. Common tendinopathies around the elbow; what does current evidence say? J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 May 21;19:216-223. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.05.021. PMID: 34150494; PMCID: PMC8190485.
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