Sprained Elbow: Symptoms, Causes & PT Treatment
Updated October 20261 minute read
An elbow sprain is a stretch or tear of the elbow ligaments, usually after a fall, hyperextension, or a forceful twist. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness, with pain at the end of straightening or bending. Most sprains heal well with early protected motion and progressive strengthening. After a significant injury, it's important to rule out a fracture or dislocation, especially with deformity or inability to move the elbow.
What is an elbow sprain?
An elbow sprain is ligament injury from the joint being forced beyond its normal range — commonly hyperextension or a fall.
Symptoms
Common features are elbow pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, and pain at the limits of bending or straightening, sometimes with a sense of instability after more significant injuries.
What causes it / risk factors
Falls onto the hand, hyperextension (e.g., contact sports, weightlifting), and forceful twisting are the usual causes.
How it's diagnosed
A clinician examines the ligaments and motion; an X-ray is ordered when a fracture or dislocation is possible.
Physical therapy treatment
What a PT does. Your therapist confirms it's a sprain, controls early swelling, restores motion, then rebuilds strength and stability. Exercises & progression (overview). Early protected motion, progressive strengthening, and graded return to loading and sport. Recovery timeline. Mild sprains often improve in a few weeks; more significant ones take longer.
Treatment options compared
Early protected motion and progressive PT are first-line. Significant ligament injuries or instability may need further evaluation; fractures/dislocations need medical management.
Red flags
Seek prompt care for deformity, inability to move the elbow, severe swelling, numbness, or a cold/pale hand after injury.
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Frequently asked questions
Significant trauma with deformity or inability to move the elbow needs an X-ray to rule out a fracture.
Sources (5)
- MedlinePlus: Sprains and Strains. — NIH/MedlinePlus
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Sprains, Strains, and Other Soft-Tissue Injuries. — AAOS OrthoInfo
- MedlinePlus: Elbow Injuries and Disorders. — NIH/MedlinePlus
- Piacenza A, et al. Effectiveness of conservative treatment in the management of post-traumatic elbow stiffness: a systematic review. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2024. — PubMed
- AAOS OrthoInfo: Elbow Dislocation. — AAOS OrthoInfo
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.