Tennis Elbow – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Tennis Elbow – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition that causes pain on the outer side of the elbow. It occurs due to overuse or repetitive strain of the forearm muscles and tendons responsible for wrist and finger extension.

Despite its name, it is not limited to tennis players. It can affect anyone who performs repetitive arm and wrist movements, including office workers, homemakers, manual laborers, and athletes.

Causes of Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow develops due to repeated micro-tears in the tendon attached to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Over time, these small injuries lead to pain and inflammation.

Common causes include:

• Repetitive wrist and forearm movements
• Racket sports such as tennis, badminton, and cricket
• Heavy lifting or manual labor
• Prolonged computer or mouse use
• Household activities like cooking, cleaning, or wringing clothes

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

Patients typically experience a gradual onset of symptoms, including:

• Pain or burning sensation on the outer elbow
• Weak grip strength
• Pain while lifting, gripping, or twisting objects
• Discomfort during activities like shaking hands
• Increased pain with wrist movement or resistance

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is mainly clinical and based on patient history and physical examination.

• In most cases, imaging is not required
• X-rays are usually normal and used to rule out other conditions
• MRI may be recommended in persistent or unclear cases

Treatment Options

1. Conservative Treatment (First-line approach)

Most patients recover without surgery. Treatment includes:

• Rest and avoiding aggravating activities
• Ice application to reduce pain and inflammation
• Elbow braces or counterforce straps
• Pain-relief medications (NSAIDs)

2. Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy plays a key role in recovery:

• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Ultrasound therapy
• Shockwave therapy (ESWT)
• Gradual return-to-activity training

3. Injections (for persistent pain)

• Corticosteroid injections for short-term pain relief
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy to promote tendon healing

4. Surgery (rare cases)

Surgical treatment is considered only when symptoms persist for 6–9 months despite proper conservative management. The procedure involves removing damaged tendon tissue and stimulating healing.

Conclusion

Tennis Elbow is a self-limiting condition in most cases and responds well to non-surgical treatment. Early diagnosis, activity modification, and physiotherapy significantly improve recovery and prevent recurrence.