Posted 4.22.2025

Tennis elbow (lateral elbow tendinopathy), despite its name, doesn’t just affect tennis players. Anyone who repetitively uses their forearm muscles can fall victim to this common overuse injury including golfers or desk workers.

Characterized by pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, tennis elbow can be a real game-changer in your daily life if left untreated.

But fear not! There are effective ways to tackle this annoying condition and get back to swinging, typing, or lifting without wincing in pain. We'll delve into what tennis elbow is, its causes, symptoms, and various treatment options available to alleviate this nagging condition.

Let's start with what is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow is a type of tendinopathy, specifically an overuse injury, that affects the tendons attaching the forearm muscles to the outer part of the elbow (wrist extensors muscles, usually the extensor carpi radialis brevis is the most involved). These tendons become inflamed or damaged due to repetitive stress and strain, resulting in pain, tenderness, and reduced grip strength.

What Causes this to happen?

The primary cause of tennis elbow is repetitive motion and overuse of the wrist extensor muscles, particularly those involved in extending and rotating the wrist. While tennis players are susceptible to this condition due to the repetitive swinging motion involved in the sport, other activities and occupations can also contribute to its development. Common causes include:
Sports: Besides tennis, sports such as golf and pickleball which involve repetitive gripping and swinging motions (increase in play or changing form can lead to this)
Occupational Activities: Jobs that require repetitive use of the forearm muscles, such as painting, plumbing, carpentry, and typing
Age and Overuse: As people age, their tendons become less flexible and more prone to injury. Overuse of the forearm muscles without adequate rest and recovery can exacerbate this vulnerability

What are the Symptoms?

The hallmark symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow, specifically at the bony bump called the lateral epicondyle. The pain may gradually worsen over time and may radiate down the forearm. Other common symptoms include:
Weak grip strength: Difficulty gripping objects like a coffee cup or performing activities that require a strong grip.
Stiffness: Stiffness in the elbow joint, especially after periods of inactivity or upon waking up in the morning.
Pain during activities: Pain that worsens with activities such as gripping, lifting, or extending the wrist, and may subside with rest.

What are your Treatment Options?

Rest and Activity Modification
Avoiding activities that exacerbate the pain and modifying techniques to reduce strain on the affected muscles. Now we are not saying to stop all exercise and activity, just the activities that increase your pain.
Dry Needling

A technique used by physical therapists to reduce pain and muscle tightness by inserting thin needles into specific areas in the forearm muscles and tendons. It's a minimally invasive approach that aims to stimulate the body's natural healing response and reduce inflammation
Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
Engaging in gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility and stability in the affected muscles.

Tennis elbow can be a debilitating condition and can hang on for longer than it should, but with proper understanding and management, its impact can be minimized. By recognizing the causes and symptoms of tennis elbow and exploring the various treatment options available, individuals can take proactive steps towards relieving pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrence. Remember to listen to your body, prioritize rest and recovery, and seek professional guidance sooner rather than later so that we can get you feeling better faster. With patience and persistence, you can ace your recovery from tennis elbow and get back to doing the activities you love.

Click HERE to Speak with a Doctor of Physical Therapy to schedule a treatment session!