What Does A Bone Spur Feel Like In Your Elbow?

 

An elbow bone spur usually feels like a dull, persistent ache or a sharp, catching pain at the joint that worsens when you bend or fully straighten your arm. Many people also notice stiffness — often worst in the morning — a grinding sensation when moving the elbow, and sometimes a tender or visible bump. If the spur presses on a nearby nerve, you may feel tingling, numbness, or weakness that spreads into the forearm or hand.

Symptoms of Bone Spurs in the ElbowPhysical Therapy Near Bryant Park

  • Pain and Discomfort – The primary symptom is pain, ranging from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing sensations, especially during elbow movements. Activities like lifting, typing, or brushing hair can exacerbate the pain.
  • Swelling and Inflammation – Bone spurs can cause inflammation, leading to noticeable swelling around the elbow, which in turn can cause stiffness and limit the range of motion.
  • Stiffness and Reduced Mobility – As the bone spur grows, it restricts elbow movement, making daily tasks challenging. This stiffness is often more pronounced in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
  • Tingling and Numbness – In some cases, bone spurs compress nearby nerves, resulting in tingling, numbness, or a pins-and-needles sensation in the elbow and forearm, sometimes accompanied by muscle weakness.
  • Visible Deformity – A large bone spur may cause a visible lump on the elbow, which can be tender to the touch.

Causes of Elbow Bone Spurs

  • Degenerative Joint Disease – Osteoarthritis is a leading cause, where cartilage breakdown leads to bone-on-bone friction, prompting bone spur formation.
  • Trauma or Injury – Previous injuries like fractures or dislocations can lead to abnormal stress and wear on the elbow joint, promoting osteophyte formation.
  • Repetitive Motion – Activities involving repetitive elbow use, such as certain sports or occupations, increase the risk of bone spurs. Tennis players often experience this due to repeated stress on the elbow joint.
  • Genetic Factors – Genetic predisposition can also play a role, making individuals with a family history of joint disorders more susceptible.

Diagnosis of Elbow Bone Spurs

A healthcare professional will conduct a physical examination and review the patient’s medical history. X-rays are typically used to confirm bone spurs, and additional imaging tests like MRI or CT scans may be required. If nerve compression is suspected, nerve conduction studies or electromyography (EMG) may be performed.

Treatment Options for Elbow Bone Spurs

  • Non-Surgical Treatments – Medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and inflammation. Physical therapy is recommended to improve range of motion and strengthen muscles around the elbow. Lifestyle modifications like ergonomic adjustments and ice application can also be beneficial.
  • Surgical Treatments – If non-surgical treatments are ineffective, arthroscopic surgery or open surgery may be considered to remove bone spurs and repair damaged tissues.

Exercises for an Elbow Bone Spur

Exercise will not dissolve a bone spur, because the body does not reabsorb the extra bone. What it does is restore the range of motion the spur has taken away and strengthen the muscles that absorb load through the joint, which is why most people get meaningful relief without surgery. Work within a range that feels like a stretch or mild effort, never sharp pain.

Stage 1 — Restore motion

Elbow Flexion and Extension Stretch

Straighten the arm as far as it comfortably goes, then bend it fully. Use your other hand to guide gently at each end of the range. Stop where you feel a stretch, not where it catches.

2 sets · 10 reps · 5-second hold at each end · twice daily

Supination and Pronation

Rest the forearm on a table with the elbow bent to 90 degrees and the hand off the edge. Turn the palm up, then down, keeping the elbow still throughout.

2 sets · 15 reps · twice daily

Wrist Flexor and Extensor Stretch

With the arm straight out in front, palm down, use the other hand to draw the fingers gently back toward you. Then turn the palm up and repeat. The muscles that move the wrist attach at the elbow, so tightness here loads the joint.

3 holds · 30 seconds each direction · twice daily

Stage 2 — Build strength

Move on once Stage 1 causes no pain and your range has clearly improved, which usually takes one to two weeks.

Isometric Elbow Flexion

Bend the elbow to 90 degrees and press the palm up into your other hand at roughly a quarter of your full effort. Nothing moves. This loads the muscle without taking the joint through range, which makes it tolerable early on.

2 sets · 5 reps · 10-second hold · daily

Triceps Extension with a Light Weight

Hold a light dumbbell overhead, lower it behind your head by bending the elbow, then straighten under control. Stop short of full lockout if the end of range feels sharp.

3 sets · 12 reps · every other day

Grip and Forearm Work

Squeeze a soft ball or grip trainer, hold, then release slowly. Stronger forearm muscles act as shock absorbers for the elbow and reduce the load reaching the joint surface.

3 sets · 15 reps · 3-second hold · daily

When to stop and get assessed: mild soreness for a day after a new exercise is normal. A locking or catching sensation as you straighten the arm, numbness or tingling into the hand, or pain that worsens session to session all mean the program needs adjusting to what is actually happening in the joint. Our physical therapy team can build the progression around your specific range and imaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an elbow bone spur go away on its own?

No. The body doesn’t reabsorb the extra bone, so spurs don’t dissolve on their own. A painless spur can be left alone, but painful ones are managed with treatment rather than disappearing.

How is an elbow bone spur diagnosed?

A provider reviews your history and examines the joint, then usually confirms the spur with an X-ray. MRI or CT may be added to assess soft tissue, and a nerve test (EMG) if nerve compression is suspected.

How are elbow bone spurs treated without surgery?

Most cases improve with conservative care: anti-inflammatory medication, activity and ergonomic changes, ice, and physical therapy to restore range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the elbow. Surgery is considered only if symptoms persist.

When should I see a doctor for elbow bone spur pain?

See a provider if elbow pain lasts more than a few days, limits your motion, or comes with numbness, tingling, or weakness — these can signal nerve involvement that benefits from earlier treatment.

Prevention Of Elbow Bone Spurs 

Maintaining joint health through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding repetitive stress on the elbow can help prevent bone spurs. Early intervention and treatment of joint injuries and conditions like osteoarthritis are also crucial. Contact MSM Wellness for physical therapy near Bryant Park today!