Elbow pain can arise from the tendons, muscles, ligaments, joints, cartilage, bursae or nerves around the elbow. The most common causes include tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis or common extensor tendinopathy), golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis or common flexor tendinopathy), distal biceps tendinopathy, distal triceps tendinopathy, olecranon bursitis and elbow osteoarthritis.

Although the location of your pain often provides important clues, several conditions can produce similar symptoms. For this reason, identifying the exact structure responsible for your pain is the most important step before deciding on treatment. At Leigh Injection Clinic, every patient undergoes a comprehensive assessment and, where appropriate, diagnostic ultrasound to identify the tissues responsible for their symptoms before treatment is recommended.

There is no single injection that is best for every type of elbow pain.

The most appropriate treatment depends on the diagnosis, the tissues involved, how long symptoms have been present and your individual treatment goals.

Depending on the underlying condition, treatment may include ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injections, Prolozone therapy, hyaluronic acid injections for suitable cases of elbow arthritis, or rehabilitation without an injection where this is likely to provide the best outcome.

Successful treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis rather than selecting an injection first.

Pain on the outside of the elbow is commonly caused by tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), which affects the common extensor tendon.

Pain on the inside of the elbow is commonly caused by golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis), which affects the common flexor tendon.

Pain at the front of the elbow may arise from the distal biceps tendon, while pain at the back of the elbow may be caused by distal triceps tendinopathy or olecranon bursitis. Stiffness, swelling, catching or loss of movement may indicate elbow arthritis or another joint problem.

Because these conditions frequently overlap, a detailed examination and, where appropriate, diagnostic ultrasound help determine the true source of your symptoms.

Diagnostic ultrasound allows the tendons, ligaments, bursae, joints and surrounding soft tissues to be assessed in real time.

When an injection is appropriate, ultrasound guidance enables the needle to be accurately positioned into or around the intended structure while helping avoid nearby nerves, blood vessels and healthy tissues. This can be particularly valuable when treating tendon disorders, bursitis and selected joint conditions where precise placement is important.

Not every patient requires ultrasound or an injection. Both are recommended only when they are likely to improve diagnosis or treatment.

Yes. Most elbow conditions improve without surgery.

Many patients recover through a combination of activity modification, progressive rehabilitation, physiotherapy and, where appropriate, injection therapy.

Surgery is generally reserved for significant structural injuries or persistent symptoms that have not improved despite appropriate non-surgical treatment. Our aim is always to help patients recover using the least invasive treatment appropriate for their diagnosis.

You should consider an assessment if your elbow pain:

• Persists for several weeks or repeatedly returns.

• Is affecting work, sport or everyday activities.

• Causes weakness or reduced grip strength.

• Is associated with swelling, stiffness or reduced movement.

• Has not improved with rest, physiotherapy or rehabilitation.

• Began following an injury or is progressively worsening.

Early diagnosis often allows treatment to begin before symptoms become longstanding. Following a comprehensive assessment, we will explain your diagnosis, discuss all appropriate treatment options and recommend the approach most likely to provide the best long-term outcome. If we believe an injection is unlikely to help your condition, we will explain this honestly and discuss more appropriate alternatives.