Elbow, wrist and hand pain has a variety of causes, both local and distant. Pain from the neck can be referred lower down the arm causing symptoms at or below the elbow. Pain may also be due to a problem involving the joint itself, such as osteoarthritis of the thumb or an inflammatory arthritis of the wrist. Tendons around the elbow and wrist are also a common source of pain. This can build up over time due to progressive overuse or become inflamed suddenly and severely.