Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is irritation and degeneration of the tendons on the outside of the elbow that extend the wrist — causing outer-elbow pain with gripping and lifting.
What is tennis elbow?
Despite the name, most people with tennis elbow have never played tennis. It is an overuse problem of the tendon that anchors the wrist-extensor muscles to the outside of the elbow. Repetitive gripping — from manual work, computer use, or sport — leads to small-scale tendon breakdown and pain.
Symptoms to watch for
- Pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow
- Pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or bending the wrist back
- A weaker grip, sometimes dropping objects
- Pain that can radiate down the forearm
How it is diagnosed
Tennis elbow is usually diagnosed by exam — tenderness over the outer elbow and pain with resisted wrist extension. Imaging is generally not needed, though ultrasound or MRI may be used for stubborn cases.
Treatment
The great majority improve without surgery, though it can take 6–12 months. Helpful steps include activity modification, a counterforce brace, a physical therapy program emphasizing eccentric strengthening, and anti-inflammatory medication. Injections are used selectively. Surgery to clean up the degenerated tendon is reserved for the small number of cases that stay painful beyond 6–12 months of good treatment.
Persistent pain on the outside of your elbow?
An evaluation can confirm tennis elbow and guide treatment.
Common questions
Often 6–12 months. It is frustrating but usually self-limiting, and a good program speeds recovery.
Not usually — but modifying the aggravating motions and improving technique and grip is important to let the tendon settle.
Cortisone can give short-term relief but does not clearly help long-term, so it is used selectively. Strengthening tends to drive lasting improvement.
Only when good non-surgical care fails over many months. The procedure removes the degenerated tendon tissue and is highly successful.
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation. Your specific diagnosis and treatment plan should come from Dr. Hachadorian based on your exam and imaging.