Experiences with
Tennis elbowCheck if you have tennis elbow
The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of your elbow.
The pain may range from mild discomfort when you move your arm to constant pain that can affect your sleep.
It may be worse when:
- lifting or bending your arm
- gripping objects
- moving your wrist
Other symptoms of tennis elbow include:
- tenderness or swelling in your elbow
- pain in your forearm
- difficulty fully straightening your arm
Things you can do to help ease tennis elbow
There are a number of things you can do to help ease the symptoms of tennis elbow.
avoid or reduce activities that make your symptoms worse
use paracetamol or rub an anti-inflammatory gel onto the affected area to help ease the pain
try using a hot or cold pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the affected area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
try doing simple exercises, such as bending and straightening your arm
try wearing a forearm strap or a wrist or elbow brace – you can buy these from pharmacies
Do not smoke or go near naked flames if you're using ibuprofen gel because it's flammable and there's a risk of severe burns.
- you still have elbow pain after resting your elbow and trying self-care treatments for at least 2 weeks
Treatments for tennis elbow
Tennis elbow usually gets better after resting your arm for a few weeks, but it can sometimes last longer.
A GP may give you anti-inflammatory tablets.
They may also refer you for physiotherapy if your symptoms have not improved after trying treatments at home for 6 weeks.
Physiotherapy treatments may include:
- massage
- stretching and strengthening exercises for your wrist and forearm
- ultrasound therapy – where high-frequency sound waves are used to increase blood flow, which can reduce pain and speed up healing
Surgery may be an option if you still have tennis elbow after 6 to 12 months.
Causes of tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is where the tendons in your elbow become inflamed. Tendons are strong cords that connect muscle to bone.
You can get tennis elbow if you do activities that involve gripping something and repeatedly twisting your wrist and forearm.
Activities that can cause tennis elbow include:
- computer work, such as typing or using a mouse
- manual tasks, such as sewing or using a screwdriver
- leisure activities, such as tennis or playing a musical instrument
Anyone can get tennis elbow but it's more common in people between 35 and 54 years of age.
CausesSymptomsSelf-careMedical treatmentsTennis elbow is inflammation of the tendons in your elbow. You can get it from doing activities like typing, sewing and playing racquet sports.
The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of your elbow. It may be worse when you move your arm or wrist, or when gripping objects.
Things you can do to help ease tennis elbow include resting your arm, taking painkillers, using heat and cold packs and doing some simple exercises.
The main treatment for tennis elbow is physiotherapy, which can involve massage, stretching and strengthening exercises and ultrasound therapy.
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