When to see a doctor

Seek emergency care if you have:

• An obvious deformity in your elbow
• A protruding bone

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Severe pain, swelling and bruising around the joint
• Trouble moving your elbow normally, using your arm or turning your arm from palm up to palm down and vice versa

Schedule an office visit if you have:

• Elbow pain that doesn't improve after home care
• Pain that occurs even when you're not using your arm
• Increasing redness, swelling or pain in the injured area

Self-care

Most elbow pain improves with simple home treatments, such as:

• Protect. Keep the area from getting further injury.
• Rest. Avoid the activity that caused your injury.
• Ice. Place an ice pack on the sore area for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
• Compression. Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
• Elevation. Keep your arm elevated to help reduce swelling.