Elbow sprains and strains
Elbow sprains and strains are common soft tissue injuries affecting the ligaments, muscles, or tendons that support and stabilise the elbow joint.
Elbow sprains and strains overview
While often mentioned together, sprains and strains affect different types of tissue: Elbow sprain: Occurs when a ligament (the strong tissue connecting bone to bone) is stretched or torn. Sprains are typically caused by sudden trauma, such as falling onto an outstretched arm or sustaining a direct impact that forces the joint beyond its normal range of motion. Elbow strain: Occurs when a muscle or tendon (the tissue attaching muscle to bone) is overstretched or torn. Strains often develop from repetitive twisting, throwing, or pulling movements without adequate rest, though they can also happen suddenly during heavy exertion. These injuries are particularly common in athletes who participate in racquet sports, throwing events, or contact sports. Inadequate warm-ups, poor technique, or carrying extra body weight can also increase your risk.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending on whether the injury is a sprain or a strain:
- Sprain symptoms: Localised pain, swelling, bruising, and occasionally a ‘popping’ or tearing sensation at the time of injury. Severe sprains involve torn ligaments, which can leave the elbow feeling unstable.
- Strain symptoms: Muscle tenderness, swelling, muscle spasms or cramping, and weakness when bending, straightening, or twisting the arm. Severe strains can involve complete tendon ruptures (such as a distal biceps tendon tear).
How are elbow sprains and strains diagnosed?
Diagnosing an elbow sprain or strain involves a detailed clinical examination by your consultant to evaluate your symptoms, joint stability, and muscle strength.
An X-ray may be taken to rule out any associated bone fractures, while an MRI scan is often used in complex cases to assess the precise extent of soft tissue damage.
Are there any risks?
Complications from soft tissue injuries are generally low, but potential risks include:
- Persistent joint stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Chronic elbow instability or weakness if ligaments fail to heal tight
- Recurrent sprains or strains if returned to activity too quickly
- Persistent pain or swelling
- Nerve irritation caused by surrounding tissue inflammation
Your specialist will evaluate your injury and outline a clear management plan to minimise these risks.
Treatment routes for elbow sprains and strains
- Initial treatment focuses on Protection, Rest, Ice (crushed ice wrapped in a damp towel applied for 15–20 minutes), Compression, and Elevation to manage pain and reduce swelling.
- Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation: Targeted exercises are essential to restore full joint flexibility, strengthen the surrounding muscles, and prevent long-term stiffness or recurrent injury.
Recovery from elbow sprains and strains
Rest and inflammation control
Focus on protecting the elbow, applying ice regularly, and elevating your arm. Gently move your fingers and wrist within comfortable limits to maintain circulation and avoid complete stiffness.
Restoring mobility
As pain and swelling settle, you will begin guided, gentle range-of-motion and light stretching exercises. You will gradually start using your arm for light daily tasks.
Strengthening and activity return
Progressive resistance training is introduced to rebuild muscle strength and joint stability. Most people return to everyday activities and light exercise during this period.
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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