The elbow can be a very sensitive joint that doesn’t respond well to overuse, imbalances or excessive force. Even holding your elbow in place for too long can start to affect the nerve that runs through it. Most of our patients with elbow pain start to notice slight pain during the activities that are most important to them, like a sport they play to stay fit or their job. It can be hard to take time away from these things, but it’s important to listen to your body. In many cases, ignoring elbow pain only allows it to get worse. Over long periods of time, elbow pain can lead to more chronic pain from degenerative conditions like arthritis.

When it’s treated right away, elbow pain usually doesn’t require any invasive or extreme procedures. To determine the best course of treatment for your elbow pain, you’ll need an assessment from a physical therapist. They’ll be able to help you understand what’s happening with your elbow and how your daily activities may be contributing to your condition. 

In this article, we’ll discuss seven potential causes of elbow pain lasting for several months. 

Why have I had elbow pain for over a month?

Chronic elbow pain can be a result of conditions affecting different parts of the joint, from the bones and ligaments to nerves, tendons and soft tissue that cushion the joint. In rare cases, it’s actually referred pain from the spine. The most common types of elbow pain that can last for weeks or months are overuse injuries such as tendinitis and bursitis. Osteoarthritis is also a common degenerative condition that causes the cartilage in certain joints to wear away.

Some less common causes of chronic elbow pain include ulnar neuropathy or cubital tunnel syndrome, stress fractures, and referred pain from the spinal cord. Ulnar neuropathy is damage to the ulnar nerve, and cubital tunnel syndrome is the compression of the ulnar nerve. 

7 possible causes of elbow pain lasting several months

Chronic elbow pain is sometimes related to repetitive movements, overloading the joint or sitting at a computer for extended periods, but not always. Many people with chronic elbow pain don’t know of any activities or prior injuries that could be contributing to their pain. In some cases, it could be a weakness in a certain muscle or an imbalance putting stress on the elbow joint. Injuries to the vertebrae in the neck or spine can also irritate the nerves that run through the arms.

Any of the following conditions can cause elbow pain that lasts several months or more:

• Tennis elbow — This type of tendinitis affects the tendons and muscles attached to the outside of the elbow, or the lateral epicondyle. It’s often a result of repetitive strain on this tendon while gripping, twisting, or extending your arm up and away from your body. The backhand motion in tennis and other racket sports is a good example of the type of movement that strains the extensor muscle tendon.
• Golfer’s elbow — Golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis elbow, except it affects the tendon on the inside of the elbow, the medial epicondyle. People usually get golfer’s elbow by straining this tendon when throwing, lifting, or swinging a golf club. Both conditions can cause constant, ongoing elbow pain or worsen with time. 
• Bursitis — Bursae are the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints. They can become inflamed and irritated from either acute injuries or overuse. Pain, swelling and redness at the tip of the elbow are common symptoms of elbow bursitis. 
• Arthritis — Different types of arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the elbows. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, which happens as a result of aging. People of all ages can develop arthritis from overloading or overusing a joint. It can also be caused by an infection in another part of the body, which is called reactive arthritis.
• Ulnar nerve dysfunction — The ulnar nerve is where you feel pain when you hit your “funny bone.” Sustained pressure on this nerve, repetitive movements, and injuries such as fractures or elbow dislocation can all cause ulnar neuropathy. When ulnar nerve dysfunction is caused by a compressed nerve, it’s called cubital tunnel syndrome. You may notice weakness, numbness or tingling in your hand and wrist, as well as curving of your ring and pinky fingers resembling a claw. 
• Stress fracture — Stress fractures in the elbow can result from different types of overuse, such as a sudden increase in activity, repetitive movements or playing high-impact sports. In many cases, patients develop stress fractures from throwing with poor form or overloading the arm muscles repeatedly without taking the time to fully recover.
• Referred pain — The nerves in the arm connect to the spine near the neck. When vertebrae in this area are damaged, people sometimes feel pain in their elbows. 

How can physical therapy help relieve chronic elbow pain?

Because most elbow injuries are caused by disordered movement, therapeutic manipulation of the affected tissue is a natural remedy that’s effective in many situations. During your first visit, your PT will ask you questions about your symptoms and guide you through some physical tests to see how your elbow is currently functioning. Then they’ll create a personalized treatment plan for fast relief and continued wellness. Physical therapists provide natural treatments and prescribe simple ways to care for elbow pain, such as daily stretches or warmups.

The following physical therapy treatments can help relieve elbow pain that’s lasted for months:

• Manual therapy — The most basic form of physical therapy treatment, manual therapy is a set of hands-on techniques PTs use to mobilize joints and soft tissue. 
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) — In IASTM, the PT uses a set of stainless steel tools to locate scar tissue and gently break it up. 
• Sports performance therapy — Did you hurt your elbow practicing a sport? Your PT can help you rehabilitate with sport-specific exercises and make adjustments to avoid reinjury. 
• Electrical stimulation and transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS) — Mild electrical stimulation can help stimulate healing of tissue deep inside the elbow joint. 
• Therapeutic stretching and exercise — Your therapist will guide you through therapeutic exercises and stretches during your sessions. They’ll also give you a plan for exercising your elbow in between appointments.
• Kinesiology taping — This can be helpful when muscle imbalances and injuries are adding strain to the elbow joint. Your PT will apply adhesive-backed fabric tape to support parts of your arm while the affected tissue is healing.

Get a personalized treatment plan for elbow pain lasting several months at Lattimore PT

The only way to know for sure what’s causing your elbow pain is to see a care provider like a physical therapist or a doctor. Physical therapists often do more thorough assessments than doctors do to determine the likely cause of your elbow pain and the extent of your injury.

At Lattimore PT, our physical therapists take the time to listen and understand your concerns. They can provide education to help you take a more active role in your health care decisions. We also make sure our PTs have the support they need to work independently and find solutions that really work for each patient.

If you’ve been experiencing elbow pain for more than a month, it’s time to think about seeing a physical therapist. Contact our team today to schedule an initial appointment. Let’s find out what’s causing your elbow pain so you can receive the most effective treatment.