Pain in the elbow when straightening the arm can happen when tendons, joints, nerves, or the small fluid-filled sac at the back of the elbow are irritated. Common causes include overuse injuries such as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, elbow arthritis, bursitis, or nerve compression around the elbow.
The location of the pain can help point to the cause. Pain on the outside of the elbow is often linked to tendon strain from gripping or repetitive wrist movement, while pain on the inside may be related to golfer’s elbow. Pain at the back of the elbow, swelling, warmth, or tenderness with pressure may suggest bursitis.
Pain that happens mainly at the end of straightening, especially with stiffness, clicking, catching, or locking, can be seen with elbow arthritis or joint irritation. Numbness or tingling into the ring and little fingers may suggest irritation of the ulnar nerve near the elbow.
Resting the arm, avoiding repeated strain, using padding, and applying ice may help mild cases. A doctor, physiotherapist, or orthopedic specialist should assess pain that is severe, follows an injury, causes swelling or fever, limits movement, or does not improve. Avoid self-medicating, especially with repeated pain relievers, without medical guidance.