Understanding Tennis Elbow: A Simple Guide
- Joseph Smith
- Dec 15
- 2 min read
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis Elbow, or Lateral Epicondylalgia, is a condition that causes pain on the outside of the elbow. This pain comes from problems with the muscles and tendons that help you extend your wrist and fingers.
Why Does It Happen?
The muscles most often involved are the extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor digitorum, extensor carpi radialis longus, and extensor carpi ulnaris. These muscles help stabilize your wrist for hand movements and play a minor role in stabilizing your elbow. When these muscles are overused or strained, it can lead to tennis elbow.
What’s Going Wrong?
In tennis elbow, the tendon, which connects the muscle to the bone, doesn't heal properly. There is an increase in cells and a change in the normal structure of the tendon. Blood vessels and nerves grow into the tendon, which can cause pain. These changes usually happen in the deeper part of the tendon, while the rest remains healthy. It's like the tendon tries to heal but fails to do so correctly.
Who Gets Tennis Elbow?
General Population: About 1-3% of people have tennis elbow.
Tennis Players: Up to 40% might get it.
Golfers: More common than golfer's elbow.
Manual Workers: Very common due to repetitive tasks.
Age Group: Most common in people aged 35-65, rare in those under 30.
Causes and Risk Factors
Repetitive Tasks: Activities that involve repetitive hand movements.
Occupational Risks: Jobs requiring repetitive tasks for more than 4 hours a day, lifting over 4.5 kg, using hand tools awkwardly, and overhead work.
Other Factors: Smoking, metabolic syndrome, and history of steroid injections.
Symptoms
Pain on the outside of the elbow, aggravated by gripping, lifting, or handling objects.
In severe cases, writing and gripping a pencil can be painful.
Sleep disturbances due to pain.
Dropping objects due to pain when picking them up.
The pain is usually localized to the elbow and does not radiate down the arm.
Examination
To diagnose tennis elbow, a doctor might:
Test for pain during wrist and middle finger extension.
Palpate (press on) the area where the tendon inserts into the elbow.
Compare grip strength between the affected and unaffected sides.
Check shoulder and elbow range of motion to rule out other conditions.
Management Exercise:
Exercises should be done without causing pain and should not cause lingering pain beyond 10 minutes after stopping.
Focus on wrist flexion exercises with a band in a bent elbow position, gradually increasing resistance.
Manual Therapy:
Combining exercise with manual therapy, like Mulligan mobilization with movement, can help reduce pain and improve function.
Taping:
Various taping techniques can help, such as spiral and diamond taping for pain relief, especially at night.
Principles of Treatment:
Monitor pain levels and adjust exercises if pain exceeds 3/10 or lasts more than 10 minutes after stopping.
Add manual therapy to increase exercise capacity.
Address any psychosocial factors, posture, and shoulder issues.
Tennis elbow can be painful, but it doesn’t have to be long-lasting. With the right combination of targeted exercises, hands-on therapy, and a few lifestyle adjustments, recovery is achievable. If you're noticing persistent symptoms, our team at Move Sports Physio & Pilates can help with a personalised treatment plan to support your recovery.
