What could cause pain near the elbow when twisting my arm?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain near the elbow during arm rotation is most often caused by tendon overuse injuries, such as tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis). It can also result from nerve irritation, particularly when nerves like the ulnar or radial nerve become stretched or compressed during rotational movement. Less commonly, joint inflammation, ligament strain, or cartilage issues may contribute.

Because elbow pain during rotation can stem from many possible conditions—some minor, others requiring medical attention—it's important to identify the likely cause before deciding on next steps. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your symptoms and get personalized guidance on what to do next.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Twisting your arm can strain the muscles and tendons around your elbow. One common cause is tennis elbow, where the tendons on the outside of your elbow become irritated due to repetitive movements.

The pain may also stem from compressed nerves that run through or around the elbow. When these nerves are irritated by twisting motions, they can cause sharp or burning sensations.

Overuse injuries to muscles and tendons are another source of twisting-related pain. For relief, rest your arm and apply ice to the affected area. If symptoms persist or worsen, you can use this free symptom checker to better understand what might be causing your discomfort before consulting a healthcare provider.

(References)

Buchanan BK, Varacallo MA. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) [Updated 2023 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431092/
Booth SM, Abosala A, Peach C. Anterior Elbow Pain Caused by Compression of the Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve. J Orthop Case Rep. 2017 Sep-Oct;7(5):63-66. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.898. PMID: 29242798; PMCID: PMC5728002.
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Golfer's elbow. [Updated 2022 Jul 15]. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507002/

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