Various forms of arthritis, infection and tendonitis can cause chronic elbow pain. Arthritis can be caused by psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Rheumatoid, reactive and gout arthritis are other common forms of joint calcification and degradation that can affect various joints in the body. Symptoms of arthritis in the elbows include hot or warm sensations at the joint, swelling, tenderness, and pain or decreased flexion and extension of the forearm. Acute trauma from a fall on an outstretched arm can be the cause of elbow dislocations and fractures. Bicep tendonitis and even ruptures may also occur with repeated heavy lifting.


Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint and it afflicts some people with a skin condition called psoriasis. Ankylosing spondylitis is generally arthritis of the back and spine, but it can affect joints like the elbows and the chronic inflammation can lead to other complications such as anemia. Regular exercise and cortisone shots may be recommended to treat pain associated with arthritic diseases that cause chronic inflammation of the joints. X-rays, MRI’s, and blood tests can be used to determine the form of arthritis and best treatment plan to manage elbow pain and the progression of the disease.


Olecranon bursitis is swelling of the bursa sacs at the tip of the elbow as a result of disease, injury or infection. Septic arthritis is a form or arthritis due to infection and it requires antibiotic treatment to cure. If there is a great deal of swelling and fluid in and around the joint, surgery may be needed to drain the afflicted elbow. These two conditions may occur if pre-existing conditions are not treated or if the person has a compromised immune system.


Tennis elbow (Lateral epicondylitis ) and golfer’s elbow (Medial epicondylitis) are common forms of tendonitis. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are a conditions where the outside bony portion of the elbow where pronater teres tendon attaches to the elbow from the muscles of the forearm get inflamed due to repetitive motions of the forearm and chronic wrist flexion. These conditions are not exclusively attributed to their popular namesakes, and many people experience tennis and golfer‘s elbow from various activities including mountain climbing and kayaking. Stiffness and pain when bending the elbow are common symptoms of tendonitis.


A pinched nerve at the funny bone is called ulnar nerve entrapment and most people have experienced this pain briefly upon hitting their elbow. This condition creates numbness and tingling that radiates from the elbow to the fingers and hands and it may be quite painful for a few minutes. Rest, ibuprofen, and icing the elbow should bring relief. However, in severe or persistent cases, surgical repositioning may be needed to reduce pressure on the ulnar nerve if neural stretching and physical therapy techniques prove to be ineffective.