Elbow Pain

What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, including a thorough examination of the elbow, and ask questions such as:

• Are both elbows affected?
• Does the pain shift from the elbow to other joints?
• Is the pain over the outside bony prominence of the elbow?
• Did the pain begin suddenly and severely?
• Did the pain begin slowly and mildly and then get worse?
• Is the pain resolving spontaneously?
• Did the pain begin following an injury?

For chronic tennis elbow, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever and a corticosteroid injection into the painful area. Usually no more than 3 such injections are performed. Surgery is a last resort.

For arthritis, physical therapy and analgesics may help. For infections, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

For bursitis, your doctor may need to drain fluid.