Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a painful condition caused by overuse of the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow. Despite the name, it's more often seen in people who don't play tennis — it's common in anyone doing repetitive hand, wrist, or forearm work.

Who gets it?

• Adults aged 30-50
• People whose work involves repetitive gripping, lifting, or wrist movements — carpenters, plumbers, cooks, painters, dental workers
• Regular computer and smartphone users — increasing cause in modern Indian office workers
• Racquet and bat sport players — tennis, badminton, squash
• Musicians

Symptoms

• Pain on the outside of the elbow, sometimes spreading down the forearm
• Pain that's worse when gripping, lifting, or twisting the wrist (turning a doorknob, shaking hands, holding a cup)
• Weakness of grip
• Stiffness
• Often starts gradually and worsens over weeks

Diagnosis

Usually a clinical diagnosis — specific tender point over the outside of the elbow, pain with certain wrist movements. Imaging (ultrasound, MRI) isn't needed for most cases but can help in stubborn or atypical cases.

Treatment

Most tennis elbow improves with simple measures over weeks to months:

• Rest and activity modification — reduce or stop the aggravating activity for a period
• Ice — 15-20 minutes several times a day during flare-ups
• Over-the-counter pain relief — paracetamol, NSAIDs for short periods
• Physiotherapy — stretching and strengthening exercises (eccentric exercises are particularly helpful); manual therapy
• Counterforce brace (tennis-elbow strap) — worn around the forearm just below the elbow; reduces load on the tendon
• Ergonomic changes — adjust computer mouse/keyboard, use both hands for heavy objects, change racquet grip size
• Steroid injection — can help short-term pain; evidence suggests it may not improve long-term outcomes
• PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection — some evidence of benefit for chronic cases
• Surgery — rarely needed, for persistent severe pain despite 6-12 months of conservative treatment

Prevention

• Warm up and stretch before repetitive activities
• Strengthen forearm muscles
• Use correct technique and equipment (lighter racquets, well-fitted tools)
• Take breaks during repetitive work
• Avoid gripping too tightly