Elbow Pain: How to Care for Your Child

Elbow pain can happen for many different reasons, and it can come on slowly or suddenly. Often, elbow pain isn't serious and goes away within a few weeks with rest and basic home care.

• For 2–3 days, to help with pain and swelling:

  • Have your child rest the elbow and avoid any activities that cause pain. They can continue activities that don't put stress on the elbow, such as walking or running.

  • Place ice wrapped in a towel on the sprain for about 20 minutes several times a day. Do not put ice directly on the skin.

  • Wrap the elbow in an elastic bandage. The bandage should be tight enough to provide gentle support but loose enough that you can easily fit your finger under the edge.

  • Keep the elbow above heart level by resting it on a pillow.

• Follow your health care provider's advice for:

  • Giving your child acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand) as needed for pain. Follow the directions on the label for how much to give and how often.

  • Any movement exercises or stretches your child should do and any activities to avoid.

  • When it's OK to try a heating pad and massage (usually after any swelling goes down).

  • Whether your child should go to a bone doctor (orthopedist), sports medicine doctor, or physical therapist.

  • When your child should follow up.

• Adding activities:

  • If your health care provider says it's OK, your child can gradually increase activities after about 2–3 days of rest. At first, they can try stretching and activities like swimming or a stationary bike that has arm movement. If they have no pain, they can continue to add more activities and training.

  • If your child has increased pain or swelling, they have probably tried to do too much. They should stop the activity they're doing and take a rest or switch to a less intense activity.

  • Talk to your health care provider if you're not sure which activities your child should do.

• Your child has: 

  • pain or swelling that is getting worse

  • pain in other areas of the body

  • other symptoms, like a fever or rash

• After a week of following your health care provider's instructions, your child:

  • has pain or swelling that isn't getting better

  • can't move, straighten, or bend the elbow fully

What can cause elbow pain? Elbow pain may happen from strain, a tear, or swelling in the:

• ligaments (bands that connect bones to other bones)

• tendons (bands that connect muscle to bone)

• muscles

• connective tissues (which support the body's organs, bones, and muscles)

Elbow pain also can happen from a deep bruise, or from doing the same motion over and over, such as throwing or hitting. Less common sources of pain include infections, arthritis, cysts, or growths on the bones. 

What can help prevent elbow pain? To prevent injuries to the elbow that can cause pain, encourage your child to:

• Wear the right protective gear during practice and competition (such as elbow pads).

• Warm up before sports activities.

• Do regular strengthening and flexibility exercises.

• Be active year-round, which will help their elbows and the rest of their body stay in good shape.