Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow is a painful overuse condition that can interfere with everyday tasks, such as gripping objects, lifting items, or turning a doorknob. Chronic tennis elbow pain can interfere with work, sports, and daily life.

The board-certified and fellowship-trained elbow specialists at Hoag Orthopedic Institute provide personalized care for tennis elbow, with a strong focus on relieving pain and restoring function. The majority of patients are successfully treated without surgery.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition caused by overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons on the outside of the elbow. Repetitive strain can lead to tendinosis, tendon degeneration, and small tears over time. This results in pain, tenderness, weakened grip, and elbow joint weakness.

Tennis Elbow Symptoms and Causes

Tennis elbow is named for its association with tennis, where repetitive arm, elbow, and wrist movements from hitting the ball place strain on the forearm. Although it is most commonly associated with tennis and other racquet sports, lateral epicondylitis also affects other athletes and workers who perform repetitive forearm movements. Sports such as golf, baseball, and bowling also have a high incidence of tennis elbow.

What causes tennis elbow? Repeated strain on the forearm muscles and tendons without enough time for recovery as well as enthusiasm for a new sport or an abrupt increase in training intensity can cause a sudden, sustained increase in tendon load with frequent gripping, lifting, twisting, or wrist extension. Without sufficient recovery time, the tendons can develop microtears and progressive degeneration, known as tendinosis.

Tennis elbow is more common among individuals in occupations such as:

• Plumbers
• Painters
• Carpenters and mechanics
• Assembly line workers
• Cooks or butchers
• Gardeners
• Professions involving heavy computer use
• Jobs that require vacuuming, sweeping, and scrubbing

Tennis elbow symptoms may include:

• Mild outer elbow pain that gradually worsens over days or weeks
• Pain and weakness when gripping objects, shaking hands, or turning a doorknob
• Forearm activity increases the pain or weakness
• Elbow pain may radiate down the forearm to the wrist

What Does Tennis Elbow Feel Like?

Tennis elbow often begins as a persistent ache or burning sensation on the outer part of the elbow. Pain may worsen with gripping, lifting, or twisting motions, such as turning a doorknob, and can radiate down the forearm toward the wrist.

As the symptoms of lateral epicondylitis progress, many people experience weakness in the hand or wrist, making it harder to hold objects securely. Discomfort may continue after activity and, in some cases, cause pain at night or interfere with sleep.

Diagnosis of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is typically diagnosed through a physical examination and a review of your symptoms and activity history. Your doctor will ask when the pain began, what activities worsen it, and how it affects daily tasks such as gripping or lifting.

Imaging tests are not always necessary for diagnosing lateral epicondylitis, but X-rays may be used to rule out arthritis or other joint problems, and an ultrasound or an MRI may be recommended if symptoms persist or another condition is suspected.

How Long Does Tennis Elbow Last?

With appropriate conservative care, tennis elbow often improves within six to 12 weeks. However, recovery timelines vary. In more persistent cases, symptoms may last six months or longer, especially if the tendon continues to be stressed during healing.

When tennis elbow is severe, long-standing, or left untreated, symptoms can persist for a year or more. Most people recover fully, but early evaluation and targeted elbow treatment can help shorten recovery time and reduce the risk of ongoing pain or weakness.

When to See a Doctor for Tennis Elbow

Don't let tennis elbow pain limit your grasp on life. See a doctor if your elbow pain persists despite rest or activity modification, elbow pain worsens over time, or begins to interfere with work, sports, or daily activities. Ongoing weakness, difficulty gripping objects, or pain that disturbs your sleep also warrants evaluation.

At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified and fellowship-trained elbow specialists provide targeted, personalized care to relieve tennis elbow pain, support healing, and help you get back to the activities that matter to you.