What might cause inner elbow pain when straightening my arm?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Inner elbow pain when you straighten your arm is most often caused by tendon overuse (golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylitis) or by compression of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the inner elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome). Repetitive gripping, throwing, or lifting can inflame the tendons that attach to the inner elbow, while prolonged bending of the elbow can irritate the nerve, leading to pain, tingling, or weakness.

Because symptoms can overlap between tendon and nerve conditions—and can occasionally signal something more serious like a ligament injury or referred pain—identifying the true cause matters for choosing the right treatment. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you pinpoint likely causes based on your specific symptoms and guide your next steps, whether that's home care, seeing a physical therapist, or booking a doctor's visit.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

4 answers

The most common questions people search after this page

Concerned about your symptoms?

Start a symptom check

Explanation

Pain on the inside of your elbow when straightening your arm may indicate several conditions. The most common is golfer's elbow, which occurs when the tendons connecting your forearm muscles to the inner elbow become strained. This strain typically causes pain during arm movement, particularly when extending or twisting. Alternatively, you might be experiencing a pinched nerve, where a nerve near the elbow becomes compressed, leading to pain during elbow movement. Both conditions are common and can be triggered by repetitive motions especially in activities like sports, manual labor, or prolonged computer use. To better understand what might be causing your symptoms, try our free AI-powered symptom checker for personalized insights based on your specific situation.

(References)

Naik AA, Bawa A, Arya A, Gulihar A. Nerve entrapment around elbow. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 May 27;19:209-215. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.05.031. Erratum in: J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 Jul 30;20:101539. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.101539. PMID: 34150493; PMCID: PMC8190494.
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Golfer's elbow: Learn More – The treatment options for golfer's elbow. [Updated 2022 Jul 15]. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507001/
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Golfer's elbow: Learn More – Golfer's elbow: Strengthening and stretching exercises. [Updated 2022 Jul 15]. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507006/

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.