Tennis Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, and Private Treatment

Reviewed By:
Dr. Sameer Gohir PhD, MSc, PG Cert MSK ultrasound, PG Cert. Non-Medical Prescribing, MCSP, MAPPN
Muhammad Asim Ishaque MSc, PG Cert MSK ultrasound, Dip. MSK Medicine, PG Cert. Non-Medical Prescribing, MCSP, MAPPN

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition causing pain on the outer part of the elbow.

It’s a form of tendinitis, which means it’s an overuse injury affecting the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow.

Elbow pain from tennis elbow making daily tasks harder? Joint Injection Clinic near Kent and Essex offers care to help ease pain and restore your movement.

Schedule your consultation now!
Tennis Elbow

Common Causes of Tennis Elbow

Despite the name, tennis elbow isn’t limited to tennis players. Any activity involving repetitive wrist and arm movements can strain the forearm muscles and tendons, leading to inflammation and tiny tears in the tendons where they attach to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow (the lateral epicondyle).

While improper backhand technique in tennis can be a culprit, many other activities can cause tennis elbow, including:

  • Painting or using a brush or roller
  • Working with hand tools, like chainsaws or hammers
  • Certain occupations involving repetitive hand motions, such as butchering, plumbing, carpentry, or even frequent computer use
  • Weak shoulder and wrist muscles
  • Using improperly sized or strung tennis rackets

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

The symptoms of tennis elbow typically develop gradually and can include:

  • Pain or burning on the outer part of the elbow, which may radiate down the forearm to the wrist
  • Pain that worsens with activities involving gripping, twisting, or extending the wrist, such as lifting objects, turning a doorknob, or shaking hands
  • Weak grip strength
  • Pain that may persist even at rest in more severe cases

These symptoms can sometimes resemble other conditions, so it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow

The primary goal of tennis elbow treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation, promote healing, and restore function to the elbow. In most cases, non-surgical treatments are effective.

Non-Surgical Treatments:

For early-stage arthritis, conservative treatments are often recommended:

  • Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate the pain is crucial for allowing the tendons to heal.
  • Ice: Applying ice packs to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and pain.
  • Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage pain and swelling.
  • Physiotherapy: Specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the forearm muscles can help improve flexibility and support the elbow joint.
  • Bracing: Wearing a brace or strap around the forearm can help reduce tension on the affected tendons.
  • Shockwave therapy: Shockwave therapy is used in tennis elbow to promote tissue healing and pain relief with generally low downtime, although research on its efficacy are mixed.
  • Corticosteroid Injections: In some cases, injecting steroids into the area around the affected tendons can help reduce inflammation and pain temporarily.
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: This involves injecting a concentration of your own platelets into the injured area to promote healing.

Surgical Treatment:

Surgery for tennis elbow is typically considered only when non-surgical treatments have not provided sufficient relief after 6 to 12 months. The goal of surgery is usually to remove the damaged tendon tissue and reattach healthy muscle to the bone. This can be done through a traditional open incision or with a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure. Recovery after surgery can take several months and involves rehabilitation to regain strength and function.

Preventing tennis elbow involves maintaining forearm muscle strength and flexibility, warming up before engaging in activities that stress the elbow, and using proper technique and equipment, especially in sports.

Private Tennis Elbow Treatment for Persistent Outer-Elbow Pain

Persistent pain on the outside of the elbow can affect gripping, lifting and work even when the original trigger has stopped. A private MSK assessment can confirm whether the pattern fits tennis elbow and identify the loads and movements that need to be addressed.

A progressive strengthening programme is usually the foundation of treatment. Shockwave therapy may be considered for selected persistent cases at Dartford, Kings Hill or Romford. Steroid injection should not be presented as a routine tendon treatment; if discussed, the expected short-term benefit and the risk of recurrence should be explained.

Tennis Elbow Treatment Near You

Dartford Clinic – North Kent & South East London

MSK Physiotherapy in Dartford

Shockwave Therapy in Dartford

Kings Hill Clinic — West Malling & Mid Kent

MSK Physiotherapy in Kings Hill

Shockwave Therapy in Kings Hill

Canterbury Clinic – East Kent & the Kent Coast

MSK Physiotherapy in Canterbury

Romford Clinic – East London & Essex

MSK Physiotherapy in Romford

Shockwave Therapy in Romford


Request a Tennis Elbow Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

Steroid injection is not routinely the first treatment for persistent tennis elbow. It may provide short-term relief in some cases, but longer-term management usually centres on progressive rehabilitation and load modification.

Shockwave therapy can be considered for selected cases that remain symptomatic despite an appropriate rehabilitation programme. The expected benefit and alternatives should be discussed before treatment.

Not usually. Tennis elbow is often diagnosed clinically. Imaging may be useful when symptoms are atypical, a tear or another diagnosis is suspected, or progress is not as expected.

Other Elbow Conditions We Treat

Not sure whether your symptoms match this condition? Explore the other elbow pain conditions assessed and treated at JIC.