Summer sports and elbow pain
7/31/2025 by Jessica Buttinger, M.D., and David Soma, M.D.
Summertime brings the perfect opportunity to get outside and have fun. Still, with the return of outdoor activities like golf, tennis, baseball or softball, we often see a rise in patients with elbow pain. These sports are a great way to stay active but can come with common overuse injuries. Here's what to look out for and how to keep your elbows healthy throughout the season.
Common causes of elbow pain
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Tennis elbow isn't just for tennis players. It's a condition caused by repetitive use of the muscles on the back of your forearm, often from gripping or wrist movements. Pain is usually felt on the outside of the elbow and may extend down the forearm. Simple actions like shaking hands or lifting a cup of coffee can trigger discomfort. If the pain persists or interferes with daily activities, it's time to seek medical advice.
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis): Golfer's elbow can affect anyone who repeatedly flexes their wrist or grips tightly. This condition causes pain on the inside of the elbow and may also radiate into the forearm. Symptoms include stiffness, weakness in the hands or wrists, and a dull ache that worsens with movement. A professional evaluation is recommended if rest and conservative measures outlined below don't improve symptoms within a couple of weeks.
Little League and Big League elbow injuries: Young athletes are especially vulnerable to elbow issues due to growing bones and repetitive throwing motions. Little League elbow typically refers to pain and inflammation on the inner part of the elbow, caused by stress to the area of bone called the growth plate. In more advanced athletes, Big League elbow can involve ligament or cartilage damage from high-velocity, repetitive throwing. Any young player experiencing pain while throwing should stop the activity and be evaluated to prevent long-term damage. Limiting pitch counts and ensuring that these athletes have adequate rest between innings and games is also important.
When to see your clinician
- Pain persists for more than 1–2 weeks despite rest or interferes with your sport or daily activities.
- You experience numbness, tingling or weakness.
- You can't fully bend or straighten your elbow.
Starting treatment at home
Most mild elbow pain can be managed at home with the RICE+ method:
- [R]est: Avoid aggravating activities for a few days.
- [I]ce: Apply ice packs to the elbow for 15–20 minutes several times a day.
- [C]ompression: Use a brace or strap to reduce muscle strain.
- [E]levation: Keep the elbow elevated to reduce swelling after activities.
- + Anti-inflammatories: Over-the-counter or topical medications like ibuprofen or Voltaren gel can reduce pain and swelling.
If symptoms continue or worsen, physical therapy or additional treatment might be needed.
To help avoid elbow pain
- Warm up properly before sports or activities.
- Build up endurance by slowly increasing the duration and intensity of the activity over a period of weeks.
- Use correct technique when swinging, throwing or lifting; this prevention technique may involve getting instructions from more experienced athletes or coaches when starting a new activity.
- Strengthen forearm muscles with light resistance exercises and free hand weights.
- Take breaks during repetitive activities.
- Use appropriate equipment (grip size, weight, length, etc.) for your sport.
Staying active is important, and with a few preventive steps, you can enjoy your favorite summer sports while keeping your elbows strong and pain-free!
Jessica Buttinger, M.D., is a physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
David Soma, M.D., is a general pediatrician in Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and a sports medicine physician in the Department of Orthopedics Surgery in Rochester, Minnesota. He serves as the team physician for Rochester Mayo High School and a Team Physician for the US Ski and Snowboard Team. Dr. Soma also serves as a coach of youth football, basketball and baseball.