What Could Cause Pain in the Elbow When Twisting My Arm?

Reviewed by Tomas Diaz, MD

Emergency Medicine

Elbow pain while twisting your arm typically comes from overused tendons (as in tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow) or a pinched nerve. Either condition can cause discomfort during arm movement or rotation.

Explanation

Pain in your elbow while twisting your arm often comes from overused tendons. This can occur on the inside of the elbow (golfer's elbow) or outside (tennis elbow), where tendons become inflamed due to repetitive motions and strain. The pain typically appears during twisting or lifting movements. Nerve compression is another common cause. When nerves around the elbow get squeezed during certain arm movements, it can trigger pain. Several methods can relieve the discomfort, such as resting, applying ice, doing gentle stretches, and performing targeted exercises to strengthen elbow muscles. If pain continues, see a doctor for a treatment plan specific to your situation.

(References)

Kazi F, Patil DS. Effects of the Tyler Twist Technique Versus Active Release Technique on Pain and Grip Strength in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis. Cureus. 2023 Oct 10;15(10):e46799. doi: 10.7759/cureus.46799. PMID: 37954758; PMCID: PMC10634653.
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: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507002/

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