The elbow
The elbow is a hinge joint which is made up of three bones, the humerus (upper arm) and the radius and ulnar (forearm). There are five muscles that attach to the joint that allow it to bend (flex) and straighten (extend).
Some of the muscles around the elbow also rotate the forearm so the palm of the hand is facing upwards (supination) or facing down (pronation). Muscles which attach on the outside of the elbow and forearm (extensors) are involved in straightening the wrist and fingers. Those on the inside assist in bending the wrist and fingers for gripping (flexors).
Three ligaments around the elbow help to keep the joint stable. The bursae (small pouches of fluid) help to reduce friction from tendons and ligaments moving over the bones
Exercises for Elbow Pain
Other useful links
We would recommend seeking further advice and medical assessment if you have any of the following:
- If you have been involved in a significant trauma and have severe pain with a severe reduction of movement
- If after a few weeks your pain is no better with over-the-counter pain relief
- Dizziness, feeling sick, fainting, difficulty with speech or swallowing, and new clumsiness, for example tripping over your own feet
- Pain at night that doesn’t get better when you try to make yourself more comfortable
- If you have worsening clumsiness or weakness of the hands or arms, and a loss of dexterity of your fingers