Elbow Pain: Common Injuries and Overuse Conditions (Sports & Everyday Life)
Elbow pain is common in athletes, but it can also show up in everyday life.
In sports, you may see acute injuries such as elbow dislocation, as well as chronic overuse problems like baseball-related elbow injuries.
Even if you don’t play sports, you might recognize tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), a very common cause of elbow pain.
We use our hands to grip, lift, and carry things constantly.
Because the hand is part of a chain that starts at the shoulder, the elbow often ends up taking extra load when movement or alignment upstream isn’t ideal.
So if the shoulder isn’t doing its share (often linked to posture and movement habits), stress on the elbow can increase, which may contribute to pain or injury over time.
In this article, we’ll organize the most common causes of elbow pain into a practical list.
目次
List of Conditions (A–Z)
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the Capitellum (Lateral-Type Baseball Elbow)
- Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis / Avulsion Injury (Medial-Type Baseball Elbow)
- Olecranon Stress Fracture
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Ulnar Nerve Entrapment)
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
- Elbow Dislocation
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL/UCL) Injury
- Baseball Elbow (Little League Elbow)
Acute Injuries
– Sudden Onset of Pain
This section covers injuries where you can clearly identify the moment the pain started.
- 1. Elbow Dislocation
A dislocation of the elbow joint—most commonly a posterior dislocation of the ulnohumeral joint. It often occurs during contact (such as a rugby tackle) or when you fall and land on an outstretched hand. - 2. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL/UCL) Injury
An injury to the ligament on the inner side of the elbow. It may occur together with a dislocation, after a fall onto the hand, or during high-force throwing (for example, at the moment a javelin throw is released).
If pain is severe, the elbow looks deformed, or you can’t use your arm normally, consider getting medical evaluation early.
Chronic Conditions
– Gradual Onset of Pain
This section covers conditions where pain gradually builds over time, often due to repetitive load.
- 1. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Irritation around the bony bump on the inside of the elbow (the medial epicondyle). Symptoms often flare with gripping, lifting, or resisted wrist flexion. - 2. Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the Capitellum (Lateral-Type Baseball Elbow)
A cartilage and bone injury on the outer side of the elbow, commonly seen in growing baseball players. Depending on the size and stability of the fragment, surgery and a long rehabilitation period may be needed. Early on, pain may be mild, and the main sign can be loss of full elbow extension (range-of-motion limitation). - 3. Medial Epicondyle Apophysitis / Avulsion Injury (Medial-Type Baseball Elbow)
A growth-related injury around the bony bump on the inside of the elbow, often seen in youth baseball players. Athletes typically report inner elbow pain during throwing. - 4. Olecranon Stress Fracture
A stress fracture of the bony prominence at the back of the elbow (the olecranon). It is often seen in middle to high school baseball players. Pain may appear during throwing or when fully straightening the elbow. - 5. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (Ulnar Nerve Entrapment)
A nerve problem affecting the inner elbow and the ulnar side of the forearm. It is relatively common in sports like baseball and judo. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or weakness on the little-finger side of the hand. - 6. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Irritation around the bony bump on the outside of the elbow (the lateral epicondyle). Symptoms often flare with gripping, lifting, or resisted wrist extension. - 7. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL/UCL) Injury
Repetitive stress—especially throwing—can gradually overload the MCL/UCL. In some cases, surgical treatment may be considered. - 8. Baseball Elbow (Little League Elbow)
A broad term for baseball-related elbow pain in young players. It can include conditions such as capitellar OCD and medial epicondyle injuries.
Elbow pain in growing athletes deserves extra attention—don’t brush it off.
Summary
We organized common causes of elbow pain into acute injuries and chronic overuse conditions.
Next, we’ll explain each condition in more detail, including typical symptoms and rehabilitation considerations.
