Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is a painful condition that often occurs as a result of strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm and around the elbow joint. As its name suggests, tennis elbow can sometimes be caused by playing tennis, but it can also occur as a result of a number of other physical activities

The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and inflammation on the outside of the elbow. The medical name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. This is because the pain usually occurs on the bony lump on the outside of the elbow, known as the lateral epicondyle.

Symptoms can also sometimes occur on the inner side of the elbow. This is often referred to as golfer's elbow.

How does the elbow joint work?

The elbow joint is surrounded by muscles that move your elbow, wrist and fingers. The tendons in your elbow join the bones and muscles together, and control the muscles of your forearm that are located around the lateral epicondyle.

Tennis elbow occurs when one or more of the tendons in your elbow becomes inflamed. The pain occurs at the point where the tendons of your forearm muscle attach to the bone. If this area becomes inflamed, certain movements that use the forearm can be painful. For example, twisting movements, such as turning a door handle, may be particularly painful.

Who is affected by tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow usually occurs in adults. Each year, in the UK, approximately five in 1,000 adults are affected by tennis elbow. The condition occurs mostly in those who are between 30 and 50 years of age.

Outlook

In most cases of tennis elbow the symptoms will clear up regardless of whether the patient receives treatment or not.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers can often help to reduce mild pain and inflammation that is caused by tennis elbow. However, if your pain is severe or prolonged a cortisone (steroid) injection may be recommended. (See the treatment section for more information).

Occasionally, surgery may be used to treat very severe and persistent cases of tennis elbow.