How is tennis elbow treated?

Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis or lateral elbow tendinopathy, affects the tendon attachment on the outer elbow. Elbow pain may spread into the forearm, and gripping or lifting can feel weak. Treatment aims to reduce irritating loads while helping the tendon tolerate them again.

A clinician may recommend a short period of modifying racquet play, repetitive gripping, or heavy lifting. Physiotherapy can assess wrist and forearm strength, movement, and technique. A brace may sometimes reduce strain during activities, while pain medicine may be discussed according to your health history.

Begin with relative rest rather than keeping the arm completely still. Use lighter grips, take breaks from repeated wrist movements, and keep daily tasks within a tolerable level. Exercise Therapy commonly progresses from gentle wrist and forearm movements to strengthening, including controlled lowering exercises.

If symptoms do not settle, a clinician may discuss Shockwave Therapy, PRP Injection, or Cortisone Injection. These options are not interchangeable: the choice depends on symptom duration, examination findings, tendon health, and your goals. Physiotherapy helps coordinate the plan and return to work or sport.

Arrange an assessment if outer elbow pain keeps returning, limits gripping, or interferes with sleep, work, or sport despite reducing the aggravating activity. Seek prompt care after a significant injury, sudden loss of strength, marked swelling, redness, fever, or new numbness in the hand.

Ask which tendon or movement is involved, which activities should be modified, how often to perform the exercises, and what improvement should look like. You can also ask when an injection or Shockwave Therapy would be considered and how it fits with Physiotherapy.