An evaluation of elbow pain starts with a history and physical examination.

Physical findings in a person with elbow pain may include:

• Elbow swelling
• Elbow redness
• Poor capillary refill of the fingers
• Elbow pain with motion
• Tenderness overlying the bones of the elbow

Testing may be required to determine the cause for the elbow pain.

Tests that may be used to evaluate elbow pain include:

• Complete blood count
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• Serum uric acid level
• Lyme disease assay
• HLA B27 assay
• Blood anti-DNAase B
• Blood anti-streptozyme
• Blood ASO titers
• Arthrocentesis:
• Can confirm the diagnosis of gout
• Arthrogram:
• Less commonly used
• Elbow x-rays
• Elbow MRI scan
• Bone scanning
• Arthroscopy:
• Can be used to look inside the elbow joint and repair ligaments

For more information:

• Elbow bursitis evaluation
• Elbow contusion evaluation
• Elbow fracture evaluation
• Elbow sprain evaluation
• Nursemaid's elbow evaluation
• Medial epicondylitis evaluation
• Lateral epicondylitis evaluation
• Septic arthritis evaluation