Why do I feel pain when extending my elbow?

Pain when extending your elbow can come while you’re doing common daily activities. Some people might feel it when reaching out for a doorknob, and others may experience elbow pain when setting their coffee cup down. 

There are many issues that can trigger the elbow pain that you’re experiencing. Fortunately, a physical therapist can help you pinpoint the cause of pain when you’re extending your elbow, and they can help you find effective treatment for your elbow pain, too. 

Three issues that cause pain in the elbow when it’s extending

Physical therapists are trained to address human musculoskeletal disorders, including the many problems that can affect your elbows. Three issues that are often responsible for elbow pain are: 

1. Ulnar nerve entrapment — The ulnar nerve runs through the elbow and provides nerve impulses to the ring and pinkie fingers. This nerve is often pinched or irritated where it passes through the elbow since there is little soft tissue to protect it. Ulnar nerve entrapment can easily trigger pain when you move your elbow. It also tends to cause numbness or tingling in the fingers supplied by the ulnar nerve.

2. Tennis elbow — This is the most common elbow tendon issue. It’s also called lateral epicondylitis, and it occurs when the tendon on the outside of the elbow is irritated and inflamed. This irritation and inflammation can trigger pain in the outside of the elbow any time it’s moved. 

3. Golfer’s elbow — The second most common elbow tendon issue is golfer’s elbow. This condition happens when the medial epicondyle tendon on the inside of the elbow becomes inflamed. Golfer’s elbow tends to cause pain on the inside of the elbow during movement. 

Treatment options a physical therapist can offer

There are many treatment techniques that a physical therapist can use to treat the pain you feel when extending your elbow. A few of these techniques include: 

• Dry needling designed to break up myofascial trigger points that are causing forearm muscle tension. 

• Joint mobilization intended to improve elbow joint flexibility.

• Therapeutic exercises that can strengthen and stretch the muscles supporting your elbows. 

• Ergonomic training that focuses on helping reduce your risk of a future elbow injury. 

SSOR is ready to help you find treatment for your elbow pain

You don’t have to continue to feel pain when extending your elbow, and our physical therapists at SSOR are ready and willing to help you treat your pain. We can start by doing a free screening to determine the exact cause of your discomfort. Additionally, our specialists excel at constructing customized physical therapy plans designed to reduce your pain and prevent its return. You’ll also be able to work with our team in your home by signing up for an at-home care or virtual therapy session with us. 

Contact us today for more information about what we can do for your elbow pain or to schedule an initial appointment.