I Can’t Move My Elbow Without Pain: Can You Help?

When everyday movements like bending or straightening your arm start to cause sharp or persistent elbow pain, it’s a sign something isn’t right. Limited elbow mobility can interfere with your work, hobbies, and sleep, whether it’s a sudden injury or the pain has been developing over time.

At Full Orthopedics Urgent Care in North Miami Beach, Florida, our urgent care and orthopedic specialists are here to pinpoint the cause of your elbow pain and start treatment right away. If you can’t move your elbow without pain, here are a few possible reasons — and how we can help.

Why does my elbow hurt when I move it?

Your elbow is a complex joint made up of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that allow you to move your arm in multiple directions. Pain in your elbow — especially when it affects your range of motion — can be the result of several issues, like:

• Tendonitis (including tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow)
• Ligament sprains or muscle strains
• Joint inflammation from overuse
• Bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joint)
• Dislocation or fracture from trauma or a fall
• Nerve compression, like cubital tunnel syndrome

Sometimes, elbow pain may start mild but worsen with repetitive motion or lifting. In other cases, you might feel an instant pop or snap at the time of injury, followed by severe pain and loss of function.

When to see your doctor for elbow pain

If you’re unable to fully extend or bend your arm without pain or if the pain is intense, it’s important to seek medical care. You should also see your doctor if you have symptoms like:

• Swelling, bruising, or visible deformity around your elbow
• Numbness or tingling in your hand or fingers
• Pain that keeps you from sleeping
• Weakness in your grip or arm
• No improvement after a few days of at-home care

While it can be tempting to wait and see if your pain subsides on its own, delaying a trip to the doctor may only prolong the issue. In fact, delayed treatment could lead to longer recovery time or even permanent damage — especially if the cause is a torn tendon or fractured bone.

How our orthopedic urgent care can help

At Full Orthopedics Urgent Care, we provide walk-in care for shoulder and elbow injuries so you don’t have to wait days or weeks for answers. Our specialists evaluate your symptoms and range of motion and use in-house imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds if needed to reach a diagnosis.

We can quickly and accurately identify the root cause of your elbow pain and, once we know the cause, start a personalized treatment plan on the spot. Whether you need bracing, physical therapy, or a referral for surgery, we’re equipped to help you recover quickly and safely.

You don’t have to live with elbow pain, wondering what’s wrong and if it will ever go away. Our orthopedic team provides expert care without the long wait or high cost of an emergency room visit. Walk into our urgent care clinic or contact us to take the first step toward relief.