Inner Elbow Pain: Treatment, Causes, And Prevention

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat causes inner elbow pain, and how to treat it

Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT — Written by Zia Sherrell, MPH — Updated on October 17, 2025

Causes
Related symptoms
Treatment
Risk factors
Prevention
Contacting a doctor
Summary

Key takeaways

Repetitive actions, such as throwing a ball, lifting weights, and typing, can all cause inner elbow pain. It is particularly common among athletes and is often due to medial epicondylitis.
People can typically manage inner elbow pain with rest, pain-relief medication, and cold compresses. Working with a physical therapist can be helpful. In rare cases, a person may need surgery.
To prevent inner elbow pain, people can practice strengthening exercises. People can also warm up thoroughly before activities and use proper form.

Inner elbow pain may extend from the muscles on the inside of the upper arm, over the elbow joint, and down into the hand. It may be painful while bending the elbow or while relaxed.

People who perform sports activities or work involving repetitive movements, such as lifting weights or using a hammer, have an increased risk of developing inner elbow pain.

Read more to learn what causes inner elbow pain, and how to prevent and treat it.

What can cause inner elbow pain?

A person lying on their back pushing up a weight.-3 — Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

A common cause of inner elbow pain is medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow). This is a form of tendonitis affecting the forearm muscles and the inner elbow tendons. It causes pain from the elbow to the wrist on the inside of the arm.

Golfer’s elbow is an overuse injury. Overuse injuries happen when someone does too much of something their body is not ready for. In golfer’s elbow, the tendons and ligaments become strained when too much force is used to bend the wrist toward the palm.

The following types of movements may cause this type of inner elbow pain:

serving a ball in tennis
throwing a javelin
swinging a golf club
chopping wood with an ax
using a chainsaw
lifting heavy objects

If someone performs repetitive motions, they may experience swelling and pain in the inner elbow. Having weak shoulder and wrist muscles can contribute to developing the condition.

Other potential causes can include conditions such as arthritis. People can speak with a healthcare professional for a diagnosis if they experience inner elbow pain that persists or worsens despite rest.

Related symptoms

Other symptoms may accompany golfer’s elbow, which someone may feel when doing the activity or at rest. For example, bending the wrist toward the palm can trigger pain in the inner elbow. Making a fist may also be painful.

Symptoms related to medial epicondylitis may include:

pain that spreads from the elbow toward the wrist
tenderness in the inner elbow
weakness or tightness in the inner elbow
trouble moving the elbow or hand
difficulty grasping items

Pain on the outside of the arm is a common symptom of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). This is another type of overuse injury affecting the soft tissue of the arm.

Treatment for inner elbow pain

The treatment for inner elbow pain depends on the cause of the injury. If pain is due to an overuse injury, recovery may involve resting the arm.

Once the pain is manageable, people can practice therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the tendons to reduce the risk of re-injury.

Rest

Usually, if someone has inner elbow pain, the first step to recovery is to stop the activity that caused the pain. A doctor may also recommend applying an ice pack or taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief to manage symptoms.

Stretch and strengthen

People may find it helpful to perform strengthening exercises that target the muscles surrounding the injured tendons, helping the healing process. Improving the strength and endurance of these muscles gives the arm resistance to future stresses.

Try the following exercises to strengthen your arm:

Wrist flexor stretch: Straighten your injured arm and bend the hand up as if signaling someone to “stop.” Use your other arm to gently pull your hand back until you feel a stretch in the forearm. Hold for 30 seconds, and repeat four times.
Wrist extension strengthening: Place your forearm on a table with the palm off the table and facing up, holding a light hand weight of 1 to 3 pounds. Slowly let your hand drop to the floor and, using your wrist, curl the weight back up to the starting position. Work up to 30 repetitions.
Stress ball squeeze: Grasp a rubber stress ball in the hand of your injured arm. Squeeze, engaging all fingers and your palm. Repeat 10 times.

Brace

If the pain occurs when bending the wrist, a doctor may recommend a brace or splint. A brace for golfer’s elbow wraps around the upper part of the forearm. People can purchase them online and in many drugstores.

Steroid injection

If the pain and swelling do not resolve with the above treatments, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.

Surgery

In rare cases, an individual may need surgery, called a medial epicondyle release. This relieves tension from the flexor tendon.

Most people do not need surgery to treat medial epicondylitis. A doctor may only recommend it if other treatment options do not work or someone has complications, such as nerve damage.

Other conditions

If conditions other than golfer’s elbow, such as arthritis, are causing someone’s inner elbow pain, the treatments will differ. A doctor will prescribe suitable medications and physical therapies.

People can speak with a healthcare professional to learn about the most suitable treatment for them.

Risk factors for inner elbow pain

People who regularly play sports like golf, tennis, and baseball have an increased risk due to the sports’ repetitive motions. Using an improper technique or failing to properly warm up may increase the risk of inner elbow injury and pain.

People who work in professions where they consistently use a hammer, chainsaw, or similar tool also have an increased risk. Typing is another repetitive action that can lead to the condition.

If someone is already at increased risk of inner elbow pain because of their work or hobbies, having weak forearm muscles intensifies their risk.

Preventing inner elbow pain

People may be able to lower their risk of inner elbow injury by strengthening the wrist, forearm, and shoulder muscles.

The following exercises may help:

squeezing a tennis ball
performing wrist curls
performing reverse wrist curls

People should do a thorough warm-up before playing a sport or working with tools. Stretching and warming up the muscles before strenuous activity can help prevent injury.

If someone experiences pain while performing an activity, they should stop immediately.

When to contact a doctor about inner elbow pain

People should contact a doctor if their inner elbow pain does not resolve with home treatments, such as resting the arm, applying ice packs, and taking anti-inflammatory medication.

A doctor may prescribe physical therapy. A professional will assess the individual and assign suitable therapeutic exercises.

If these treatments do not relieve pain, a doctor may offer a corticosteroid injection. In some cases, they may recommend surgery.

Summary

Inner elbow pain is often a result of medial epicondylitis, or golfer’s elbow, in which the inner elbow tendons are irritated and painful. A person can also experience wrist pain and forearm weakness.

Risk factors for inner elbow pain include playing certain sports, or working with certain tools, that involve repetitive hand motions. Weak wrist and forearm muscles, as well as incorrect form, increase a person’s risk of developing inner elbow pain.

Ice, OTC pain relief, and strengthening exercises are typical forms of treatment. Most cases of inner elbow pain resolve with rest and home treatment methods, but in some cases, a doctor may prescribe more aggressive treatment.

Body Aches
Sports Medicine / Fitness
Sports Medicine / Fitness

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Buchanan BK, et al. (2023). Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431092/
Golf injury prevention. (2024).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/golf-injury-prevention/
Reece CL, et al. (2024). Medial epicondylitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557869/
Therapeutic exercise program for epicondylitis (tennis elbow/golfer’s elbow). (2022).https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/epicondylitis-therapeutic-exercise-program/

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT — Written by Zia Sherrell, MPH — Updated on October 17, 2025

Latest news

SuperAgers' brains have one special ability, study finds
28% of breast cancer cases linked to 6 modifiable risk factors, experts say
GLP-1 drugs and 8 healthy lifestyle habits may lower cardiovascular risk
High fat, low- carb diet lowers blood sugar, improves exercise response in mice
High fat, high sugar diet may leave lasting changes on brain, eating later in life

Related Coverage

Can carpal tunnel syndrome cause elbow pain?Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD
Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause elbow pain. Learn more about how to treat elbow pain here.
READ MORE
What are the symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis?Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D.
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. Injuries and overuse can harm it, leading to inflammation of the connective…
READ MORE
What can cause pain in the left elbow?Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN
There are several reasons a person may experience pain in their left elbow. Learn more about the potential causes and treatment options here.
READ MORE
What to know about MCP joint painMedically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD
What is the MCP joint and what are some possible causes of pain in the MCP joint? Read on to learn more.
READ MORE
Beighton score: The test and its results explainedMedically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT
The Beighton score is a measure of joint hypermobility. It involves a series of exercises for which a person gets points. Find out more.
READ MORE

Tag » When I Fully Extend My Arm It Hurts

Inner Elbow Pain: Treatment, Causes, And Prevention

Key takeaways

What can cause inner elbow pain?

Related symptoms

Treatment for inner elbow pain

Rest

Stretch and strengthen

Brace

Steroid injection

Surgery

Other conditions

Risk factors for inner elbow pain

Preventing inner elbow pain

When to contact a doctor about inner elbow pain

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

Related Coverage

Tennis Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, And Diagnosis - Healthline

Pain In Elbow When Straightening Arm - Advent Physical Therapy

Quick Fixes For Aching Elbows - Harvard Health

Inflammation Biceps Tendon Elbow | Orthopedics Sports Medicine

Is Elbow Pain When Straightening My Arm Serious? | Arrow PTR

Tennis Elbow: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Elbow Pain: Why Can't I Straighten My Arm? - Bauerfeind Australia

Why Your Arm Hurts - WebMD

Two Exercises Help Pain When Elbow Is Bent Or Straightened

Why Do I Have Elbow Pain When I Straighten My Arm? | Carter PT ATX

Tennis Elbow - Symptoms - NHS

Feeling Biceps Pain After A Workout? Can't Straighten Your Arm ...

What You Can Do Right Now About Your Elbow Pain - Athletico

Lateral Epicondylitis | Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - UConn Health

Contact