Tennis elbow, clinically called lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain on the outer side of the elbow. It develops when the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow become irritated, inflamed, or damaged from repetitive strain. While the name suggests it is a sports injury, most people who develop tennis elbow have never picked up a racket. It's far more common in people who perform repetitive gripping, twisting, or lifting motions at work or in daily life.
The hallmark of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow that can radiate down the forearm toward the wrist. It often starts as a mild ache that gradually worsens. Gripping objects, turning a key, shaking hands, or lifting even light items can trigger sharp pain. Weakness in your grip is common, and you might find yourself dropping things or struggling with tasks that used to be easy. The area around the outer elbow may feel tender to the touch.
What sets tennis elbow apart is how specific movements provoke it. If extending your wrist or gripping something tightly causes pain on the outside of your elbow, that's a strong sign you're dealing with this condition.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow happens when the extensor tendons on the outer elbow are overworked. Contributing factors include:
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Repetitive wrist extension and gripping motions in work or daily activities
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Poor ergonomics or technique during tasks like typing, painting, or using hand tools
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Sudden increases in activity that the tendons aren't prepared for
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Weak or underdeveloped forearm and wrist muscles
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Tightness or imbalances in the muscles of the arm and shoulder
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Jobs that involve repetitive hand use, like carpentry, plumbing, cooking, or computer work
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Sports that involve gripping and swinging, like tennis, racquetball, or weightlifting
The damage builds gradually. Each repetition adds stress until the tendon breaks down faster than it can repair itself, leading to pain and dysfunction.
When Tennis Elbow Becomes Chronic
Tennis elbow often improves with rest and early treatment, but it can become stubborn if ignored or if you keep aggravating it. Chronic tennis elbow can persist for months or even years, leading to ongoing pain, grip weakness, and difficulty performing basic tasks. The longer it's left untreated, the harder it becomes to fully recover.
When to Seek Help
If pain on the outside of your elbow is interfering with your work, hobbies, or daily tasks, don't wait for it to resolve on its own. Early intervention often leads to faster and more complete recovery.
Living With Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow responds well to targeted treatment. Strengthening the affected tendons, improving mechanics, and addressing contributing factors can help you regain full function and get back to what you need to do. At Kevlar Performance & Rehab in Burlington, we work with people dealing with tennis elbow to help them move better and feel better.