Everything You Need to Know About Elbow Pain

6. Sprains and Strains

A sprain is a stretching or tearing injury to a ligament, the band of tissue that connects bone to bone in a joint. A strain is an injury to a tendon, the tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. These injuries can happen when an individual twists or falls on an elbow or sustains a direct blow to the elbow. Symptoms include limited mobility, pain, swelling, cramping, and muscle spasms. The most common treatments for sprains and strains include rest, icing the elbow, applying compression, elevating the arm, over-the-counter medication to reduce pain and inflammation, and a soft cast.