Published on: 5/26/2025
Nighttime elbow pain may be due to lateral epicondylitis, sometimes called tennis elbow, which can worsen during sleep because of certain positions that put extra pressure on the elbow.
When you lie down at night, you might bend or rest your arm in a way that puts pressure on the tendons around your elbow. This can cause the tendons on the outside of your elbow become irritated or inflamed. Studies have shown that the way you sleep can increase the stress on these tendons, causing increased pain. People with lateral elbow tendinopathy often notice that their pain worsens at night due to the added strain from holding your arm in one position for a long time. Other factors, like overuse from repetitive activities during the day, can make the tendons even more sensitive. Simple changes, such as adjusting your sleep position or using extra pillows for support, might help reduce the pressure. If the pain continues or gets worse, please talk with a doctor who can help find the best way to feel better.
(References)
Vaquero-Picado A, Barco R, Antuña SA. Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. EFORT Open Rev. 2017 Mar 13;1(11):391-397. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.000049. PMID: 28461918; PMCID: PMC5367546.
Gorski JM. Evaluation of Sleep Position for Possible Nightly Aggravation and Delay of Healing in Tennis Elbow. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2019 Aug 2;3(8):e082. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-19-00082. PMID: 31592507; PMCID: PMC6754212.
Bateman M, Hill JC, Cooper K, Littlewood C, Saunders B. Lived experience of people with lateral elbow tendinopathy: a qualitative study from the OPTimisE pilot and feasibility trial. BMJ Open. 2023 Aug 29;13(8):e072070. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072070. PMID: 37643850; PMCID: PMC10465899.
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