Body region
Elbow symptoms and relevant information
Carrying a shopping bag, opening a jar or pushing yourself up from a chair: we often only notice how much we use our elbows when these movements become uncomfortable. Sometimes the pain is easy to pinpoint on the outside of the elbow. Sometimes it extends into the forearm, or the joint becomes harder to move.
Open individual sections or all the details on this page.
Understanding
A closer look
This page helps you find the right starting point in our information about the elbow. You can begin with your symptoms, read about an established diagnosis or find out about returning to a demanding activity. At your consultation at OrthoCoast in Wolgast, we bring these questions together with your personal circumstances.
When the cause is still unclear
Our ‘Elbow pain’ page is for people who do not yet know what is causing their symptoms. It explains which details help during the examination and why pain when gripping does not automatically point to a particular diagnosis.
Tell us what has changed: how long has your elbow hurt, which activity brings on the pain, and how has your ability to use it changed? Swelling, tingling or difficulty straightening the elbow are also important to mention. You do not need to identify the affected structure yourself or choose an examination in advance.
If tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow has been mentioned
Patients encounter both names even if they have never played tennis or golf. Our ‘Tennis and golfer’s elbow’ page explains the difference between the affected areas and the role that physical demands play in the assessment. It also offers a more detailed discussion of non-surgical treatment options.
For treatment of these conditions, you can consult Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil. Richard Kasch, Dr. med. Christoph Jährling, Björn Weidemann and Dipl. med. Matthias Dallmann. Care by Dipl. med. Dallmann is arranged individually as part of his cover for the practice.
Further information
Getting back to work or sport
A short break does not always answer the question of what to do next. Perhaps the same repetitive movements await you at work. Perhaps you want to return to strength training but are unsure how much you can manage. Tell us which demands are unavoidable and which you can temporarily adjust.
Our ‘Tendons and sports orthopaedics’ page explains our approach to these questions. It brings together medical assessment, appropriate adjustments to activity and a clear plan for returning to it. This care is for recreational athletes as well as people who want to use their grip reliably again in everyday life or at work.
Understanding the purpose of examinations
We begin with a clinical orthopaedic examination. Whether additional imaging is useful depends on what still needs to be clarified. Ultrasound may help answer a question about a tendon; after an injury or where bone is involved, an X-ray may serve a different purpose. We do not automatically use several imaging methods in succession.
The linked diagnostic pages explain in more detail what to expect from each examination. Please bring any existing records. Where possible, a radiology report should be accompanied by the images, for example through a QR code giving access to the images or on a CD.
Do not wait if acute changes occur
Severe pain or a visible deformity after an injury, significant new changes in sensation or strength, or hot swelling with fever require urgent medical assessment. If sudden arm pain occurs together with chest pressure or shortness of breath, call 112. These situations should not be dealt with through a routine online appointment request.
For other urgent concerns, please arrange an appointment for our urgent clinic with the practice beforehand. The more detailed symptom page offers guidance, but it cannot replace an examination or rule out every acute cause.
What to expect and next steps
Preparing for your consultation
‘Appointments & enquiries’ explains how to contact the practice. Name the elbow as the affected area and briefly describe when the symptoms began and what they prevent you from doing. If you have already received a diagnosis or treatment recommendation, please mention it.
It is also helpful to know what you have already tried and how your symptoms changed in response. This does not automatically mean continuing the same treatment. Together, we assess which recommendation fits your current findings. If you cannot use the digital route, you can contact us by telephone.
Our doctors in this specialty
Priv. Doz. Dr. med. habil.Richard Kasch
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
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Dr. med.Christoph Jährling
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
DVO-certified osteologist
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Björn Weidemann
Specialist in orthopaedics and trauma surgery
DVO-certified osteologist
View profileThese doctors look after joint and movement problems at our practice. Together, we discuss which questions and goals matter most to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to choose between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?
No. If the diagnosis is still unclear, start with the elbow pain page and explain your concerns at your consultation. The medical examination will help identify the problem more precisely.
Where can I find information about pain on the outside of the elbow?
The ‘Elbow pain’ page helps explain the symptom. If tennis elbow has already been diagnosed, the condition page provides further information. The location of the pain alone does not confirm this diagnosis.
Can I book a recommended treatment directly?
After a treatment recommendation at your consultation with us, please use the appointment route we agreed together. A recommendation from elsewhere first needs to be assessed by a doctor. Please discuss the appropriate route with us rather than selecting a treatment at random.
Your next step
