Elbow pain when bending and straightening

The elbow joint is considered one of the mostcomplex joints in the body. Much of its stability comes from two strong ligaments: the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

If you sprain your elbow by injuring either of these ligaments, whether through sports, a fall, or everyday activities, it can make it hard for your elbow to function as it should, says Samantha Stewart, PT, DPT, a physical therapist for Hinge Health.

While elbow sprains may not be as common as ankle or wrist sprains, they can still impact your day-to-day life when they do happen.

The good news: Most of the time, elbow sprains can be treated at home with remedies that include stretches and exercises. Read on to find out what to do for a sprained elbow.