Tennis elbow occurs when the wrist extensor tendons on the outside of the elbow get inflamed. It is also known as ‘lateral epicondylitis’ which describes the elbow region where the pain is felt. These tendons function to pull the wrist backwards, a position frequently observed when playing racquet sports particularly tennis. With tennis elbow, the pain observed can be fairly severe affecting the grip strength in the hand. When examined, there is sharp pain on pressing over the tendons at the elbow or the lateral epicondyle.

Diagnosing tennis elbow normally requires a good clinical assessment and examination. X-rays and MRI scans are rarely required. Management of the tennis elbow requires an initial period of rest, pain killers and icing to help relieve the acute pain. Use of a band at the elbow just below the point of maximum discomfort helps in reducing pain from tennis elbow. Following the acute phase treatment, gentle stretching exercises are important to manage and usually resolve the tennis elbow pain. The exercises should be supervised by a physiotherapist at least once to confirm the correct technique.

In those rare cases where the discomfort fails to settle down with rest and stretching, a physician/orthopaedic assessment is advised. In addition to the stretches and bands, injections with steroids and platelet rich plasma have been shown to aid recovery. Occasionally surgery is required to remove the inflamed/damaged tissue and to release the tendons.