What could be the underlying reasons for experiencing left elbow pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Elbow pain is a common complaint that can stem from injuries, overuse, or underlying medical conditions affecting the tendons, nerves, ligaments, or the joint itself. Common causes include tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, bursitis, arthritis, and nerve compression such as cubital tunnel syndrome. Symptoms may range from mild aching to sharp pain, stiffness, swelling, or numbness radiating into the hand.

Because elbow pain has many possible causes—some minor, others requiring prompt medical attention—identifying the source is essential to finding relief. Rather than guessing, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your pain and get personalized guidance on next steps. It only takes a few minutes and could save you time, worry, and unnecessary complications.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

There are many potential causes of elbow pain. Some of the most common causes include:

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) - This condition causes pain on the outside of the elbow due to overuse of forearm muscles and tendons.
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) - Pain occurs on the inner side of the elbow from strain on the tendons that connect to the forearm.
Arthritis - Inflammation of the elbow joint can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.

Other possible causes include:

Bursitis - Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the elbow joint can lead to pain and swelling.
Fractures or stress injuries - Broken bones or repetitive stress on the elbow can cause significant pain.
Ulnar nerve entrapment - Compression of the ulnar nerve (funny bone) can cause pain, numbness, and tingling.

Since this is not a complete list of all possible causes, you can use our free symptom checker to help identify what might be causing your elbow pain and determine when to seek medical care.

(References)

van Riet RP. Assessment and decision making in the unstable elbow: management of simple dislocations. Shoulder Elbow. 2017 Apr;9(2):136-143. doi: 10.1177/1758573216686533. Epub 2017 Jan 29. PMID: 28405226; PMCID: PMC5384540.
Mabvuure NT, Malahias M, Hindocha S, Khan W, Juma A. Acute compartment syndrome of the limbs: current concepts and management. Open Orthop J. 2012;6:535-43. doi: 10.2174/1874325001206010535. Epub 2012 Nov 30. PMID: 23248724; PMCID: PMC3522209.
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.

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