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Tennis elbow is a common cause of pain on the outside of the elbow. The medical name is lateral epicondylitis, and it happens when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow become irritated or damaged from overuse. Despite the name, you do not have to play tennis to develop tennis elbow. It can affect athletes, workers, parents, musicians, gardeners, and anyone who repeatedly grips, lifts, twists, or uses the wrist and forearm.

What Does Tennis Elbow Feel Like?

Tennis elbow usually develops gradually. At first, you may notice mild soreness on the outside of the elbow after activity. Over time, the pain can become more frequent and may interfere with daily tasks.

Common tennis elbow symptoms include:

• Pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow
• Pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or twisting
• Weak grip strength
• Discomfort when shaking hands, turning a doorknob, holding a coffee mug, or using tools
• Pain that may travel from the elbow into the forearm or wrist
• Stiffness or aching after repeated activity

Symptoms often worsen with activities that require wrist extension or repeated forearm use, such as racquet sports, painting, typing, cooking, carpentry, weightlifting, or yardwork.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is typically caused by repetitive stress to the muscles and tendons of the forearm. Small injuries can develop in the tendon over time, especially where it attaches to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. Poor technique during sports, sudden increases in activity, repetitive job tasks, or using equipment that does not fit properly may increase stress on the tendon.

How Is Tennis Elbow Treated?

Many cases of tennis elbow improve with nonsurgical treatment. A specialist may recommend rest from painful activities, ice, anti-inflammatory medication, bracing, physical therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, or changes to work or sports technique. In some cases, injections or other advanced treatments may be considered.

If elbow pain continues despite conservative care, your doctor may order imaging or discuss additional treatment options. Surgery is rarely the first step, but it may be considered for severe or long-lasting symptoms that do not improve with nonsurgical treatment.

When Should You Schedule an Appointment?

You should consider seeing an orthopaedic specialist if elbow pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning, limits your grip strength, affects work or sports, or makes everyday tasks difficult.

At Ozark Orthopaedics, our outstanding team provides expert care for elbow pain, tendon injuries, sports injuries, and upper extremity conditions. Whether your symptoms started on the court, at work, in the gym, or during everyday life, our specialists can help identify the cause and create a personalized treatment plan.

If outside elbow pain is keeping you from doing what you love, schedule an appointment with Ozark Orthopaedics today and take the first step toward relief.