Tennis Elbow: What’s Really Going On and How to Fix It

You’ve probably heard of tennis elbow, but the term we use now is wrist extensor tendinopathy. This means the tendon on the outside of your elbow, which is responsible for lifting your wrist has become irritated and overloaded from too much strain.

Why It Happens

You don’t need to play tennis to develop this condition. It often affects:

· Tradespeople using tools all day

· Office workers at a keyboard and mouse for hours

· Parents lifting children repeatedly

· Gardeners or gym-goers doing lots of gripping

Any repetitive gripping or lifting with your palm facing down can overload the tendon over time.

Common Symptoms

· Pain or tenderness on the outside of your elbow

· A dull ache down the forearm

· Difficulty gripping objects like a coffee cup or turning a door handle

· Sometimes reduced grip strength

Symptoms usually develop gradually and can persist for months if ignored.

Why Rest Isn’t Enough

Stopping all activity rarely solves the problem. Tendons need controlled movement to heal and get stronger. Too much rest can make the tendon weaker.

How Physiotherapy Helps

Treatment focuses on restoring tendon strength and reducing pain. The approach includes:

1. Reducing Strain Adjusting lifting and gripping techniques to avoid aggravation.

2. Pain-Reducing Exercises Isometric holds help settle pain and start rebuilding strength.

3. Progressive Strength Work Gradual exercises to make the tendon stronger and more resilient.

4. Extra Support Massage, taping and bracing can assist recovery. Injections may provide short-term relief but do not repair the tendon.

5. Education Recovery typically takes 8-12 weeks. Consistency is essential.

Prevention Tips

· Build strength before heavy tasks

· Take breaks from repetitive work

· Include forearm exercises in your routine

Bottom Line: Tennis elbow is not an inflammatory condition it’s a tendon that needs help adapting to load. The most effective treatment is a structured exercise program guided by a physiotherapist. Early treatment makes a big difference.

Jack Pickering
Physiotherapist