Pain on the inside of the elbow is commonly blamed on golfer’s elbow.

But that is not the only possibility.

The ulnar nerve also passes very close to the inner elbow, and irritation or compression of this nerve can produce a different pattern of symptoms.

A useful starting distinction is:

Pain mainly with gripping, lifting or wrist movement may suggest golfer’s elbow.

Tingling or numbness extending into the ring and little fingers makes ulnar nerve irritation more important to consider.

Sometimes both problems can occur together.

Where Is Inner Elbow Pain Coming From?

Several structures are packed into a relatively small area on the inside of the elbow.

Possible sources include:

• Forearm tendons
• Ulnar nerve
• Elbow joint
• Ligaments
• Muscles
• Less commonly, referred pain from the neck

This is why the location alone does not establish the diagnosis.

What Is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow is also called medial epicondylitis.

It affects the tendons from the forearm muscles where they attach to the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow.

Mayo Clinic describes golfer’s elbow as inner-elbow pain caused by irritation where the forearm tendons attach to the medial epicondyle. The pain may spread down the forearm and is often worse with gripping or lifting.

You do not need to play golf to develop it.

Repeated:

• Gripping
• Lifting
• Wrist bending
• Throwing
• Racquet sports
• Weight training
• Manual work

can all contribute.

What Does Golfer’s Elbow Feel Like?

Typical symptoms can include:

• Pain directly over the inside of the elbow
• Tenderness when pressing the area
• Pain extending down the inner forearm
• Pain gripping
• Pain lifting objects
• Pain making a fist
• Weak grip
• Discomfort when bending the wrist

Mayo Clinic notes that symptoms can begin gradually or suddenly and may worsen with activities involving gripping, lifting or wrist movement.

What Is the Ulnar Nerve?

The ulnar nerve is one of the major nerves supplying the forearm and hand.

It passes behind the inner part of your elbow through an area called the cubital tunnel.

This is the same nerve responsible for the familiar electric sensation when you hit your “funny bone”.

Because the space around the elbow is relatively narrow, the nerve can become:

• Compressed
• Stretched
• Irritated
• Unstable

Mayo Clinic describes cubital tunnel syndrome as compression or irritation of the ulnar nerve as it passes around the inside of the elbow.

What Does Ulnar Nerve Compression Feel Like?

Typical symptoms include:

• Tingling in the little finger
• Tingling in the ring finger
• Numbness in these fingers
• Inner elbow discomfort
• Weak grip
• Hand weakness
• Hand clumsiness

Mayo Clinic notes that cubital tunnel syndrome commonly causes numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers, together with inner-elbow pain and sometimes weakness of the hand or grip.

Golfer’s Elbow vs Ulnar Nerve: Quick Comparison

Feature	Golfer’s Elbow	Ulnar Nerve / Cubital Tunnel
Pain location	Inner elbow	Inner elbow
Pain with gripping	Common	Can occur
Pain lifting objects	Common	Can occur
Tender tendon attachment	Common	Less characteristic
Ring-finger tingling	Less typical	Common
Little-finger tingling	Less typical	Common
Hand numbness	Less typical	Common
Weak grip	Possible	Possible
Hand clumsiness	Less typical	More concerning for nerve involvement
Worse with elbow bent for long periods	Less characteristic	Common
Worse sleeping with elbow bent	Less characteristic	Common

Why Do My Ring and Little Fingers Tingle?

This is one of the strongest clues that the ulnar nerve may be involved.

The ulnar nerve supplies sensation to part of:

• Ring finger
• Little finger
• Hand

When it becomes compressed at the elbow, tingling can travel from the inner elbow toward these fingers.

Mayo Clinic describes this pattern as characteristic of cubital tunnel syndrome.

Why Are My Symptoms Worse When My Elbow Is Bent?

Bending the elbow can increase pressure and stretch on the ulnar nerve around the cubital tunnel.

That is why symptoms may worsen during:

• Sleeping with the elbow bent
• Holding a phone
• Driving
• Resting the elbow on a desk

Mayo Clinic notes that cubital tunnel symptoms often become worse when the elbow stays bent for long periods, including during sleep or phone use.

Why Does My Elbow Hurt When I Grip Something?

Gripping activates the muscles in the forearm.

Many of these muscles attach to the inside of the elbow.

If these tendons are irritated, activities such as:

• Carrying groceries
• Lifting weights
• Opening jars
• Holding tools
• Racquet sports

may reproduce pain.

This pattern is more consistent with golfer’s elbow than with isolated nerve compression.

Can Golfer’s Elbow Cause Tingling?

Sometimes patients with golfer’s elbow report tingling, but this raises the possibility that the nearby ulnar nerve may also be irritated.

Mayo Clinic notes that golfer’s elbow may be accompanied by numbness or tingling, commonly affecting the ring and little fingers.

Persistent sensory symptoms deserve assessment rather than assuming the problem is purely tendon-related.

Can I Have Golfer’s Elbow and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Together?

Yes.

The tendon attachment and ulnar nerve are close together anatomically.

A person can therefore have:

• Tendon pain from golfer’s elbow
• Ulnar nerve irritation
• Or both

This is particularly important if treatment aimed only at the tendon has not resolved the symptoms.

What if My Grip Is Becoming Weaker?

Weak grip can occur because elbow pain makes gripping uncomfortable.

But true progressive hand weakness is more concerning for nerve involvement.

Examples include:

• Dropping objects
• Difficulty opening bottles
• Difficulty using chopsticks or cutlery
• Difficulty buttoning clothing
• Reduced finger control

Mayo Clinic notes that cubital tunnel syndrome can lead to hand weakness, clumsiness and, in more advanced cases, loss of muscle bulk.

New or worsening weakness should be assessed.

What if the Inside of My Elbow Snaps or Pops?

Some people with ulnar nerve instability notice:

• Snapping
• Popping
• Movement around the inner elbow

Mayo Clinic notes that ulnar nerve instability can produce similar symptoms to compression and that some patients report a popping or snapping sensation over the inner elbow.

This may be particularly noticeable when bending and straightening the elbow.

Could the Pain Be Coming From My Neck?

Yes.

Elbow pain can sometimes be referred from the cervical spine.

Mayo Clinic includes cervical disc problems among possible causes of elbow pain.

The neck becomes more important to consider when elbow symptoms occur together with:

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Tingling farther up or down the arm
• Widespread numbness
• Arm weakness

Treating the elbow alone may not help if the source is actually cervical.

Should I Stop Using My Arm?

Usually not completely.

If golfer’s elbow is suspected, temporarily reducing painful repetitive activities may help.

This can include reducing:

• Heavy gripping
• Repetitive wrist bending
• Weight training that provokes symptoms
• Racquet sports
• Manual work where possible

Mayo Clinic recommends reducing or stopping activities that aggravate golfer’s elbow while the tendon recovers.

The long-term aim is usually to restore strength gradually rather than avoid using the arm permanently.

What if I Have Ulnar Nerve Symptoms?

Simple measures may include reducing prolonged pressure on the nerve.

For example:

• Avoid leaning directly on the inner elbow
• Avoid keeping the elbow tightly bent for long periods
• Change sleeping position if symptoms occur at night
• Adjust desk or phone habits

Persistent numbness, weakness or clumsiness deserves medical assessment.

Can Physiotherapy Help Golfer’s Elbow?

Yes.

Rehabilitation may include:

• Progressive forearm strengthening
• Grip rehabilitation
• Modification of aggravating movements
• Gradual return to sport or work

Recovery can take time.

Mayo Clinic notes that golfer’s elbow commonly improves with rest, activity changes and conservative treatment, although healing can take several months or longer.

Can Physiotherapy Help Cubital Tunnel Syndrome?

Sometimes, depending on the severity and cause.

Treatment may include:

• Activity modification
• Avoiding prolonged elbow flexion
• Reducing direct pressure on the nerve
• Selected exercises

But significant or progressive nerve weakness requires closer medical assessment.

What if Physiotherapy Is Not Helping?

Persistent inner elbow pain should be reassessed when:

• Symptoms have not improved
• Tingling persists
• Numbness is increasing
• Grip is getting weaker
• Hand coordination is worsening
• The diagnosis remains uncertain

The next question becomes:

Are we treating the right structure?

Should I Have an X-Ray?

X-ray may help if the doctor wants to rule out:

• Arthritis
• Previous fracture
• Bone abnormalities
• Other joint causes

However, X-rays do not directly show tendon or nerve structure in detail.

Is Ultrasound Useful?

Yes.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound can assess:

• Tendons
• Muscles
• Ligaments
• Nerves
• Joints

RadiologyInfo specifically notes that musculoskeletal ultrasound can help evaluate tendon injuries and nerve entrapment, and it provides real-time imaging without ionising radiation.

For inner elbow pain, ultrasound may be particularly useful when the doctor wants to assess:

• Golfer’s-elbow tendon changes
• Partial tendon tears
• Ulnar nerve position
• Nerve enlargement or entrapment
• Dynamic movement of the ulnar nerve

Can Ultrasound See the Ulnar Nerve Move?

Yes.

One advantage of ultrasound is that it is dynamic.

The elbow can be bent and straightened while the nerve is observed.

RadiologyInfo notes that ultrasound can show soft-tissue movement in real time, which can be useful when assessing tendons and nerves.

This may be useful if ulnar nerve instability is suspected.

When Is MRI Useful?

MRI provides detailed assessment of:

• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Muscles
• Bone
• Joint structures
• Surrounding soft tissue

RadiologyInfo notes that musculoskeletal MRI is particularly useful for evaluating tendon, ligament, muscle and joint abnormalities and repeated-strain injuries.

MRI may become useful when:

• Symptoms persist despite treatment
• A significant tendon tear is suspected
• The diagnosis remains unclear
• There may be deeper structural abnormalities
• Another procedure or surgery is being considered

Ultrasound vs MRI for Inner Elbow Pain

Both can be useful.

Ultrasound May Be Particularly Useful For:

• Golfer’s elbow tendons
• Superficial tendon tears
• Ulnar nerve assessment
• Dynamic snapping or nerve instability
• Image-guided procedures

MRI May Be Particularly Useful For:

• More extensive tendon injury
• Ligament problems
• Bone and joint abnormalities
• Multiple possible causes
• Deeper structural assessment

The best scan depends on the clinical question.

Does Ultrasound Use Radiation?

No.

Ultrasound uses sound waves and does not use ionising radiation.

Does MRI Use Radiation?

No.

MRI uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency energy rather than X-rays.

Does Every Case of Golfer’s Elbow Need Imaging?

No.

Typical golfer’s elbow can often be diagnosed from:

• Pain location
• History
• Physical examination

Mayo Clinic notes that diagnosis usually begins with history and examination. Ultrasound or MRI may be considered when symptoms are severe or not improving.

Does Every Case of Cubital Tunnel Need MRI?

No.

The diagnosis can often be suspected from symptoms and examination.

Depending on the case, further evaluation may include:

• Ultrasound
• Nerve tests
• MRI
• Other investigations

The exact test depends on whether the main question is nerve compression, structural tendon disease or another condition.

Can Shockwave Therapy Help Golfer’s Elbow?

Shockwave therapy may be considered for selected persistent tendon problems.

It is intended for tendon-related conditions, not for treating ulnar nerve compression itself.

This distinction is important.

If tingling and numbness are the main symptoms, the nerve should be properly assessed before assuming the tendon is the only problem.

Should I Have a Steroid Injection?

An injection is not automatically appropriate for every case of inner elbow pain.

The first question should be:

Is the pain coming from a tendon, nerve, joint or something else?

Treatment directed at the wrong structure may provide little benefit.

Does Golfer’s Elbow Need Surgery?

Usually not.

Mayo Clinic notes that most people improve with non-surgical treatment, though recovery can take several months. Surgery is generally reserved for persistent cases that have not improved with appropriate conservative treatment.

Does Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Need Surgery?

Not always.

Mild cases may respond to reducing pressure and prolonged bending of the nerve.

Surgical assessment becomes more important when:

• Weakness progresses
• Numbness becomes persistent
• Hand muscles begin to waste
• Conservative treatment fails

Because prolonged nerve compression can potentially lead to lasting weakness, progressive neurological symptoms should not simply be ignored.

When Should I See a Doctor?

Arrange an assessment if:

• Inner elbow pain persists despite treatment
• Tingling repeatedly reaches the ring or little finger
• Numbness is becoming more frequent
• Grip strength is worsening
• You are dropping objects
• Physiotherapy has not helped
• Symptoms wake you at night

When Is Elbow Pain Urgent?

Seek prompt medical attention if:

• There is major trauma
• The elbow looks deformed
• You cannot bend or straighten the elbow after an injury
• You suspect a fracture
• The elbow becomes hot and swollen with fever

Mayo Clinic recommends urgent assessment for visible deformity, suspected fracture or significant acute injury.

How Much Does an Elbow MRI Cost in Singapore?

For many patients arranging an elbow MRI through The Pain Relief Clinic, the current price is approximately:

S$1,000

This generally includes:

• MRI examination
• MRI images
• Formal radiologist’s report

Eligible outpatient diagnostic scans may qualify for up to:

S$600 per patient per year from MediSave

subject to prevailing requirements and the patient’s remaining annual limit.

How Quickly Can I Get an Elbow MRI?

When MRI is medically appropriate, The Pain Relief Clinic can often arrange elbow imaging:

Within one working day

subject to:

• MRI safety screening
• Appropriate imaging protocol
• Appointment availability

Frequently Asked Questions About Inner Elbow Pain

What is the most common cause of inner elbow pain?

Golfer’s elbow is a common cause, especially when pain occurs with gripping, lifting or wrist movement.

What does ulnar nerve compression feel like?

Typical symptoms include inner-elbow pain together with tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers, sometimes with weak grip or hand clumsiness.

Why do my ring and little fingers go numb?

These fingers are partly supplied by the ulnar nerve, which passes through the cubital tunnel at the inner elbow. Compression there can produce this symptom pattern.

Why is my numbness worse when I bend my elbow?

Keeping the elbow bent can increase pressure and stretch on the ulnar nerve, so symptoms often worsen with prolonged elbow flexion.

Can golfer’s elbow cause tingling?

It can coexist with tingling, but persistent ring- or little-finger symptoms raise concern that the nearby ulnar nerve may also be involved.

Is ultrasound useful?

Yes. Ultrasound can assess tendons and nerves in real time and does not use radiation.

Do I need an MRI?

Not automatically. MRI becomes more useful when symptoms are persistent, structural tendon injury is suspected, the diagnosis is uncertain or imaging would change treatment.

How much does an elbow MRI cost?

An elbow MRI arranged through The Pain Relief Clinic is currently approximately S$1,000, including the images and formal radiologist’s report.

Inner Elbow Pain With Tingling or Weak Grip?

If inner elbow pain has persisted despite rest or physiotherapy, the important question is whether the symptoms are coming from:

• The flexor tendons
• The ulnar nerve
• The elbow joint
• The cervical spine
• More than one structure

At The Pain Relief Clinic, we can assess:

• The exact location of the pain
• Grip strength
• Sensation in the hand and fingers
• Whether the ulnar nerve may be involved
• Whether symptoms may originate from the neck
• Whether ultrasound, X-ray, MRI or no imaging is most appropriate
• Whether physiotherapy, shockwave therapy or another non-surgical treatment may be suitable

When MRI is medically indicated, elbow imaging can often be arranged within one working day.

Inner elbow pain assessment through The Pain Relief Clinic

• Medical assessment by a licensed medical doctor
• In-house physiotherapy
• Assessment of tendon and nerve-related causes
• Shockwave therapy where clinically appropriate for tendon-related pain
• Fast access to imaging where appropriate
• Elbow MRI often available within one working day
• Approximately S$1,000 for many elbow MRI examinations
• Up to S$600 MediSave for eligible outpatient diagnostic scans
• Formal radiologist’s report
• Specialist referral when appropriate

Arrange an Elbow Pain Assessment

The Pain Relief Clinic

Call / WhatsApp: +65 9068 9605

If inner elbow pain is associated with persistent ring- or little-finger tingling, numbness, weak grip or symptoms that have not improved with physiotherapy, contact us for an assessment of whether the tendon, ulnar nerve or another structure is responsible.

---

References

1. Mayo Clinic — Golfer’s Elbow: Symptoms and Causes.
2. Mayo Clinic — Golfer’s Elbow: Diagnosis and Treatment.
3. Mayo Clinic Healthcare — Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.
4. Mayo Clinic Orthopedics & Sports Medicine — Ulnar Nerve / Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.
5. RadiologyInfo.org — Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, reviewed 19 March 2025.
6. RadiologyInfo.org — Musculoskeletal MRI, reviewed 15 June 2026.

---

Important Medical Information

This article provides general educational information and does not replace an individual medical consultation.

Inner elbow pain can arise from tendons, the ulnar nerve, the elbow joint, the cervical spine or other structures. Ring- and little-finger tingling or numbness may suggest ulnar nerve involvement but cannot establish the diagnosis by itself.

Imaging is not required for every case of inner elbow pain. The appropriate investigation depends on the pain pattern, neurological symptoms, examination findings, trauma history, duration, treatment response and whether imaging would change management.

Seek prompt medical attention for significant trauma, visible elbow deformity, suspected fracture, inability to move the elbow after injury, rapidly progressive hand weakness, or a hot swollen elbow associated with fever.

Reviewed by Dr Terence Tan, Founder of The Pain Relief Clinic — 18 September 2026