A pulled muscle, or muscle strain, is an injury where muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. It is possible to pull a muscle near the elbow, though the pain is usually caused by strains to the forearm muscles that attach near the joint, rather than the muscles that cross the elbow itself. These injuries range from a mild overstretching to a severe tear. A strain can significantly affect your ability to move your arm, hand, and wrist, making understanding the injury important for recovery.
Which Muscles Are Involved in an Elbow Strain
The muscles most commonly involved in an elbow strain are the smaller forearm muscles that control wrist and finger movement. These muscles attach via common tendons to the bony prominences of the humerus, the upper arm bone, right at the elbow joint. Strains are classified by severity, with Grade 1 being a mild pull and Grade 2 involving a partial tear of the muscle or tendon fibers.
Two primary muscle groups are involved, depending on the location of the pain. The wrist flexors originate on the inner side of the elbow, known as the medial epicondyle. A strain here is often associated with symptoms similar to Golfer’s Elbow, causing pain when gripping or flexing the wrist toward the palm.
The wrist extensors originate on the outer side of the elbow, the lateral epicondyle, and are responsible for bending the wrist backward. A strain to the extensor group is commonly linked to symptoms of Tennis Elbow, causing tenderness on the outside of the joint, particularly with activities that involve gripping or lifting. In a true muscle strain, the tear happens in the muscle belly or where the muscle meets the tendon, rather than in the tendon itself.
How Elbow Muscle Strains Occur
Elbow muscle strains occur when the force placed on the muscle or tendon exceeds its capacity, leading to fiber damage. The two main mechanisms are repetitive stress and sudden, forceful contraction.
Repetitive stress, or overuse, is a frequent cause, particularly in activities requiring repeated gripping, twisting, or wrist movement. This chronic strain is common in sports like tennis, golf, or racquetball. It also occurs in occupational tasks requiring frequent use of the forearm muscles, such as carpentry, painting, or extensive typing.
Sudden, forceful movements cause an acute strain, often felt as a sharp, immediate pain. This can happen when throwing a ball with excessive force, lifting a heavy object with poor form, or trying to catch a falling weight suddenly. A lack of proper warm-up or pre-existing muscle fatigue significantly increases the risk, as cold or tired muscle fibers are less elastic and less able to absorb shock.
Immediate Care and When to Seek Medical Help
For a suspected mild or Grade 1 elbow strain, immediate self-management focuses on reducing pain and swelling to prevent further injury. The protocol of Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (R.I.C.E.) is the standard initial approach. Resting the elbow is the most important step, which means avoiding any activity that causes pain, such as lifting or gripping.
R.I.C.E. Protocol
Applying a cold pack to the most tender area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, every one to two hours, is recommended for the first 48 to 72 hours following the injury. This helps minimize inflammation and numb the pain. Compression, such as a soft elastic bandage or a specialized elbow sleeve, can help reduce swelling, but it should not be wrapped so tightly that it causes numbness or tingling.
Elevating the elbow above the level of the heart whenever possible assists in draining excess fluid from the injured area. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can also be taken to manage pain and reduce inflammation. After the initial acute phase, gentle, pain-free range-of-motion exercises can be started to prevent stiffness.
When to Seek Medical Help
Seek professional medical attention if the pain is severe, if you have a visible deformity, or if you cannot move your elbow at all. Other warning signs include numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers, which could indicate nerve involvement. Pain and swelling that worsen or do not begin to improve after 48 hours of home care also warrant a visit. These symptoms may suggest a more severe Grade 2 or 3 strain, a tendon tear, or another injury that requires professional diagnosis and treatment.