Elbow Clicking or Popping

Overview

Clicking, popping and snapping in the elbow are common and often harmless. Many elbows make sounds during normal movement without any pain or problem.

The patterns worth attention are different: snapping with pain, a feeling that the elbow shifts out of place, catching that blocks movement, or numbness and tingling that travel down the arm with the snap.

What This Symptom Feels Like

• A painless click when straightening or bending the elbow
• A snap on the inside of the elbow, sometimes with tingling into the ring and little fingers
• A catch or block during a specific part of the movement
• A feeling that the elbow is shifting or unstable, especially with throwing
• Pain along with the popping, or popping that started after an injury

Common Causes

• Tennis elbow or golfer's elbow — clicking can accompany tendon irritation, though it is usually not the main problem
• Elbow instability — recurrent slipping, often felt with throwing, after a previous dislocation
• The ulnar nerve sliding over the bone on the inside of the elbow, sometimes with tingling
• Loose fragments in the joint that catch during movement
• Painless gas-bubble clicks, similar to knuckle cracking, which are usually harmless

Anatomy Usually Involved

• Elbow joint — the hinge joint where clicking is felt
• Annular ligament — a ligament around the head of the radius that can be involved in snapping
• Ulnar collateral ligament — the inner-elbow ligament most stressed in throwing

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Is the click painless, or does it hurt?
• Is there a catch that stops the movement, or a feeling the elbow shifts out of place?
• Does tingling or numbness travel into the hand with the snap?
• Did the popping start after a fall, a throw or a specific injury?
• Is the elbow swollen, weak or unstable?

When It's Usually Minor

Painless clicking that happens occasionally, without swelling, catching, weakness or instability, is common and usually needs no treatment.

When To Seek Medical Care

• A snap or catch with pain, especially on the inside of the elbow
• The elbow feels like it shifts or gives way, particularly with throwing
• Numbness or tingling that spreads into the hand
• The elbow locks and will not bend or straighten
• Popping that started after a fall or injury

Self-Care Options

• Rest from the aggravating activity, especially throwing or heavy pressing
• Ice the elbow after activity if it is irritated
• Strengthen the muscles around the elbow and shoulder gradually
• Avoid forcing the elbow through a painful catch

Related Symptoms

• Elbow stiffness — often present after injury or with joint wear
• Numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers — can accompany snapping of the ulnar nerve

Related Injuries

• Tennis elbow
• Golfer's elbow
• Elbow dislocation

Related Exercises

• Controlled biceps curl — gentle, controlled elbow motion
• Wrist extension isometric — low-load strengthening around the elbow

References

1. "Classification and evaluation of recurrent instability of the elbow." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10660700/
2. "Hypertrophy of the Annular Ligament as a Cause of Painful Elbow Snapping." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39630521/
3. AAOS OrthoInfo. "Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)." https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/tennis-elbow-lateral-epicondylitis/

This information is for education only and is not a medical diagnosis. InjuryAtlas does not replace an assessment by a qualified health professional. If you have severe pain, visible deformity, numbness, loss of function, or symptoms that are getting worse, seek medical care promptly.