When is cortisone injection recommended for tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow is irritation and overload of tendons attached to the outer elbow, often causing pain with gripping, lifting, or wrist movement. Cortisone can calm local inflammation and may make daily activity easier for a while. It does not rebuild a tendon or remove the movement pattern that caused overload. The clinician checks the painful area, strength, neck and nerve symptoms, and other elbow conditions before choosing an injection.

Usually discuss load reduction, an elbow strap or wrist support when appropriate, pain relief options, and a progressive physiotherapy programme before or alongside an injection. Explain your work, sport, diabetes, skin problems, medicines, and previous injections. Follow the post-injection advice, then gradually restore gripping and lifting rather than testing the elbow with heavy work immediately. If pain returns, reassessment can identify whether the tendon needs a different rehabilitation plan.

Arrange prompt assessment for marked weakness, inability to straighten the elbow, major swelling after injury, persistent numbness, or pain with fever or a hot red joint. Following an injection, seek urgent advice for spreading redness, drainage, fever, or rapidly increasing pain. A clinician should also review symptoms that keep worsening despite reduced load.

Ask whether your pain is coming from the tendon, a nerve, or the joint; what improvement is realistic; how the injection fits with physiotherapy; and when normal lifting can resume.