This guide provides general education and does not diagnose a condition or replace individual medical or physiotherapy assessment.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow, also called lateral elbow tendinopathy, commonly causes pain around the outside of the elbow. Gripping, lifting a kettle, carrying bags, using tools or prolonged computer work may aggravate it. It often develops after a change in repetitive hand or forearm load.
Common symptoms
- Pain on the outside of the elbow
- Pain with gripping or lifting
- Reduced grip confidence
- Tenderness around the common extensor tendon
- Symptoms after racquet sport, manual work or repeated hand use
Why complete rest is rarely the whole answer
Reducing a sharply aggravating activity can settle irritability, but prolonged avoidance may reduce tendon and muscle capacity. Rehabilitation usually reintroduces load in a controlled way so the arm becomes more tolerant of work, sport and daily tasks.
What physiotherapy may include
Treatment can include education, temporary changes to gripping or lifting, progressive wrist and forearm strengthening, and exercises for the shoulder and upper limb where relevant. A brace or taping may provide short-term support for some people.
Other causes of elbow pain
Pain can also arise from the elbow joint, neck, nerves or an acute muscle or tendon injury. Marked weakness, numbness, trauma, locking or persistent swelling should be assessed rather than assumed to be tennis elbow.
Official links
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