What types of elbow pain require evaluation by an orthopedic specialist?

Elbow pain that interferes with everyday tasks, like lifting a coffee cup, turning a doorknob, or shaking someone's hand, is a good reason to have it evaluated. Specific signs worth paying attention to include:

• Pain on the outer or inner elbow that worsens with gripping or twisting motions
• Swelling, warmth, or visible deformity around the joint
• Reduced range of motion or a locking, catching sensation
• Numbness or tingling radiating into the forearm or hand
• Pain following a fall or direct impact to the elbow

Conditions like tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and arthritis are common culprits, and most respond well to conservative treatment when addressed early.