The elbow, wrist and arm, along with the hand and fingers, form a very important and complex part of the body’s musculoskeletal system. They allow the body to perform a vast range of activities, such as playing sports and writing. These extremities can be vulnerable to pain as a result of overuse, injury or an underlying health condition.

The elbow connects the upper arm bone (humerus) with the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna). These three bones meet in a compound synovial joint enclosed within a capsule. The bones are held together by muscles, tendons (strong fibrous cords that attach muscles to bones) and ligaments (sheaths of fibrous tissue that connect bones).

The wrist has eight bones called carpals, which support a tubelike network that runs through the wrist, known as the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel contains tendons and the median nerve (which controls sensation and movement of some of the fingers) and is covered by the transverse carpal ligament (which connects the bones in the lower palm). Pressure on or constriction of the median nerve, such as that involved in carpal tunnel syndrome, can cause pain that radiates from the wrist to the arm and fingers.

The hand (including the wrist) has 27 bones. An intricate network of muscles, tendons, nerves and blood vessels is tightly contained within this area. The area from the arm to hand also includes bursae. These small, fluid–filled sacs lubricate and cushion pressure points between the bones, tendons and muscles near the joints and they help the joints move with ease.

Injuries (e.g., fractures, sprains, strains, dislocations) are the most common cause of pain in the elbow, wrist and arm. They can occur from engaging in sports, a severe fall or accident as well as various other situations. Older adults have a higher risk for injuries and fractures due to the loss of muscle mass and bone strength that occurs with aging.

An acute or sudden injury can result in inflammation of the ligaments, tendons, joints or bursae. It can also result in pulled muscles (strains) or ruptured muscles or tendons, broken or dislocated bones, as well as pinched nerves – all of which can be very painful.

Pain in these extremities can also occur when too much stress is placed on a joint or other tissue for prolonged periods of time. This may occur during activities such as gardening and tennis. Bursitis (inflammation of the bursae) and tendinitis (inflammation of the tendons) can occur from prolonged and repetitive use of the elbow, wrist and arm.

In addition, certain health conditions, such as arthritis (joint inflammation) can result in chronic pain in these extremities.

Sometimes, the pain can be accompanied by fever or a general feeling of malaise and/or numbness. If this occurs, a person should seek immediate medical attention because it may be due to an infection or other serious condition.