elbow pain elbow pain elbow pain generally refers to discomfort in the joint (elbow) between the upper arm and forearm. elbow pain is a common complaint in both the emergency department and in primary care offices. the cdc estimated that 1.15 million people visited to emergency room for elbow or forearm related injuries in 2020. there are many possible causes of elbow discomfort but the most common are trauma, infection, and inflammation. this pain may be acute, chronic or associated with a number of other symptoms (i.e. swelling, bleeding, numbness, tingling, lack of mobility, etc.) on presentation. treatments range from conservative measures, like ice and rest, to surgical interventions depending on the underlying cause and severity. causes