Tennis Elbow

Condition

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis Elbow being assessed at Gav Noble Physiotherapy in Lisburn

Tennis elbow is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the outside of the elbow. Its medical name is lateral epicondylitis or lateral elbow tendinopathy.

Despite its name, you do not need to play tennis to develop it. Tennis elbow is commonly linked to repeated gripping, lifting, twisting or wrist movements at work, during exercise or while completing everyday tasks.

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What to Look For

Common Symptoms

The main symptom is pain and tenderness around the outside of the elbow.

You may notice:

Pain when gripping or shaking hands
Discomfort when lifting a kettle or shopping bag
Pain when twisting a door handle
Reduced grip strength
Pain extending into the forearm
Difficulty using tools, typing or playing racquet sports
Tenderness over the bony area outside the elbow

Symptoms may begin gradually and can persist for several months if the tendon remains overloaded.

Causes

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow develops when the forearm tendon is exposed to more repeated strain than it can currently tolerate.

Contributing factors may include:

Repetitive gripping or lifting
Manual work involving tools
Racquet sports
Gardening or DIY
A sudden increase in exercise
Poor lifting technique
Reduced forearm strength
Inadequate recovery between activities

Tennis elbow is estimated to affect around 1–3% of the population.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

At Gav Noble Physiotherapy, we assess your elbow, wrist and forearm strength. We also consider your work, hobbies, sport and the activities that aggravate your symptoms.

Treatment may include:

A personalised strengthening programme
Progressive tendon-loading exercises
Advice on modifying painful activities
Grip and wrist-strengthening exercises
Hands-on treatment where appropriate
Guidance on lifting and workplace technique
An elbow strap or support where suitable
Shockwave therapy for persistent cases

Exercise programmes can help improve tennis elbow symptoms, although no single treatment is ideal for everyone.

Rest

Should I Rest My Arm?

Temporarily reducing painful gripping, twisting or heavy lifting can help calm symptoms. However, complete rest for long periods may cause further weakness.
The aim is to modify aggravating activities while gradually rebuilding the tendon’s strength and tolerance.

Common Questions

Tennis Elbow FAQs

How long does tennis elbow take to improve?

Some cases improve within several weeks, but persistent symptoms may take several months.

Do I need an injection?

Not usually. Exercise and activity modification are often tried first. Steroid injections are no longer routinely recommended by some NHS services because long-term outcomes may be poorer.

Can shockwave therapy help?

Shockwave therapy may be considered when symptoms have not improved with appropriate rehabilitation. NICE has published guidance on its use for persistent tennis elbow.