Elbow hyperextension – causes, symptoms and stabilizing protection
Elbow hyperextension is a common sports injury that most often affects goalkeepers in handball and soccer, but can also occur from falls or contact sports. The injury involves the elbow joint being pushed beyond its normal range of motion, causing intense pain and sometimes swelling immediately after the injury.
What is hyperextension of the elbow?
The elbow joint is a hinge joint made up of the upper arm bone (humerus) and the forearm bones (radius and ulna). The joint is stabilized by muscles, tendons, and ligaments that together control movement. During hyperextension, the elbow is pushed beyond its natural outer position, which can damage the soft tissues and ligaments around the joint.
Common causes & risk factors
Elbow hyperextension is often caused in connection with sports, especially in goalkeepers in handball and football who reflexively save balls with their arms outstretched. The force from the ball pushes the joint beyond its normal range of motion and causes the pain. The injury can also occur in explosive contact sports such as American football or in falls where the arm bears the body weight. In some people, a congenital hypermobility in the joint can increase the risk of developing hyperextension.
Symptoms
- Sudden, intense pain at the time of injury
- Pain when fully extending the elbow
- Local swelling over the joint
- Possible discolouration due to minor bleeding
- Feeling of instability or tenderness when carrying weight
When should you seek medical attention?
Contact your healthcare provider if the pain is severe, if the swelling does not go down within a few days, or if the elbow feels unstable when moving.
Recommended protection & support
When overextending the elbow, it is important to prevent further overextension. An elbow brace that is specifically designed to limit movement in the joint provides effective protection and allows continued training and activity without the risk of re-injury to the joint. Compression elbow braces can also relieve pain and swelling and contribute to increased circulation in the injured area. See all our elbow braces here.
About our Injury Guide – quick guidance in case of complaints
In our Injury Guide, you will receive clear and easy-to-understand information about common injuries, how they occur and what symptoms usually occur. You will also receive recommendations on which protection and aids can relieve your discomfort and help you further in your rehabilitation. All information is based on expert knowledge from our licensed physiotherapist.
For more information about arm and elbow problems, you can read more in the Injury Guide Arm, and you can also go to the Injury Guide main page to read about other injuries and symptoms.
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Find the right protection for your needs
There are several ways to find the right product on our website. For a more personalised selection, you can use our filters and sort by injury, body part or sport. You can also get help from our AI assistant Eir, who is trained on all the content on our website and can help you with product recommendations, fit questions and order-related concerns – 24/7. If you would rather speak directly to our licensed physiotherapist Ida, you can reach her via email or phone for personal advice and support in your product selection.
