
Elbow and arm pain is not usually a sign of anything serious. If it does not go away after a few weeks, see a GP.
To ease elbow and arm pain, try these things for a couple of days:
Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if:
This could be a sign of a heart attack.
Apart from an injury, these things can cause arm and elbow pain.
Do not self-diagnose. See a GP if you're worried.
| Main symptoms | Possible cause | 
|---|---|
| 
                
                    
                      Main symptoms
                    
                
                 Pain on the outside of the elbow, difficulty to fully extend the arm  | 
            
            Possible cause | 
| 
                
                    
                      Main symptoms
                    
                
                 Joint pain, stiffness, swelling, difficulty moving the affected area  | 
            
            Possible cause | 
| 
                
                    
                      Main symptoms
                    
                
                 Pain, tenderness, bruising, swelling  | 
            
            Possible cause | 
| 
                
                    
                      Main symptoms
                    
                
                 Pain, stiffness coming down from the shoulder  | 
            
            Possible cause | 
| 
                
                    
                      Main symptoms
                    
                
                 Pain and stiffness in the joints  | 
            
            Possible cause | 
| 
                
                    
                      Main symptoms
                    
                
                 Swelling around a joint, a high temperature or feeling hot and shivery  | 
            
            
                
                    
                      Possible cause
                    
                
                 Joint infection (septic arthritis)  | 
            
        
If you have elbow or arm pain, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP.
To find out if there are any services in your area:
