Elbow stiffness
Elbow stiffness can make everyday movements, such as reaching, lifting or even getting dressed, feel uncomfortable and frustrating. It often develops after an injury, fracture or because of arthritis, gradually limiting movement and affecting how you use your arm.
What is elbow stiffness?
Elbow stiffness means that the joint has lost some of its normal movement, making it difficult to fully bend or straighten your arm. It may develop gradually or follow an injury and can range from a minor restriction to a significant loss of movement that affects work, exercise and everyday activities. A previous fracture or dislocation is a common cause. As the elbow heals, the joint capsule and surrounding tissues may tighten, or scar tissue and new bone may develop around the joint. Stiffness can also be associated with osteoarthritis, previous surgery, prolonged immobilisation or loose fragments of cartilage or bone within the elbow. Because stiffness can sometimes be a sign of underlying joint damage, an early assessment can help identify the cause and guide the most appropriate treatment
What are the symptoms of elbow stiffness?
Symptoms vary depending on the cause and severity but may include:
- Difficulty fully bending or straightening your arm
- A reduced range of movement
- Pain around the elbow
- Swelling
- A tight or blocked feeling when moving the joint
- Catching, clicking or locking
- Difficulty reaching, lifting, dressing or carrying out other everyday activities
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will ask how your symptoms developed, whether you have previously injured or had surgery on the elbow and how the stiffness is affecting your daily life, work or sport.
They will then examine the elbow to measure its range of movement and assess pain, swelling, stability and whether anything appears to be physically blocking the joint.
Investigations may include:
- A detailed medical history
- A physical examination
- Measurement of elbow movement
- X-rays to assess the joint, previous fractures and any arthritic or bony changes
- A CT scan when more detailed images of the bones or a possible blockage are needed
- An MRI scan in selected cases to assess cartilage and other soft tissues
These findings will help your consultant understand why the elbow is stiff and recommend treatment based on your symptoms and goals.
How is it treated?
Treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the stiffness, how long it has been present and how much it affects your daily activities.
Non-surgical treatment is often considered first, particularly when stiffness is mild to moderate and there is no significant physical blockage within the joint. Surgery may be discussed when movement remains significantly restricted despite rehabilitation or when scar tissue, loose fragments or bony changes are preventing the elbow from moving normally.
Treatment may include:
- Physiotherapy to improve movement, strength and function
- A structured home exercise programme
- Splinting in selected cases to gradually improve movement
- Activity modification
- Pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medication where appropriate
- Surgery when persistent stiffness significantly limits movement or function
Your consultant will discuss the benefits and limitations of each option so that you can make an informed decision about your care.
Treatment routes for elbow stiffness
Most people with elbow stiffness can improve without surgery.
Non-surgical treatment is often recommended when symptoms are mild to moderate or when there is no significant structural blockage in the joint. This usually includes a structured physiotherapy programme focused on improving range of movement, reducing stiffness and restoring function over time.
Our aim is to help you regain as much movement as possible and improve your ability to use your arm comfortably in daily life.
Recovery goals after elbow stiffness
During the early stages of recovery, the focus is on:
Reducing pain and swelling Protecting the elbow while it heals Beginning gentle movement exercises Preventing further stiffness
As your recovery progresses, rehabilitation aims to:
Improve range of movement Build strength and control Restore function in everyday activities Increase confidence using the arm
The final stage of rehabilitation focuses on:
Regaining functional movement for work, sport or daily life Improving long-term movement and confidence Returning to higher levels of activity where appropriate Reducing the risk of ongoing stiffness or future injury
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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