Understanding tennis & golfer's elbow
Tennis elbow affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow, golfer's elbow those on the inside. Both are tendinopathies, where the tendon has been loaded beyond its capacity to adapt and has become painful and sensitised.
Gripping is the common aggravator, which is why simple daily tasks like carrying a kettle or opening a jar become disproportionately painful.
Signs you might notice
- Pain on the outside or inside of the elbow
- Pain gripping, lifting or turning a door handle
- Tenderness over a specific bony point
- Weakness in grip strength
- Symptoms worsening with repetitive hand use
Common contributing factors
- Repetitive gripping at work or in sport
- A sudden increase in manual activity such as DIY
- Insufficient strength in the forearm and shoulder
- Technique or equipment factors in racquet sports
- Sustained computer and mouse use
How we assess and treat it
We confirm which tendon group is involved and rule out referred pain from the neck, which mimics elbow pain more often than people expect. We then measure grip and assess the whole arm chain.
Treatment centres on progressive loading, because tendons need graded stress to recover. Rest alone reliably fails.
- Graded strengthening for the forearm and grip
- Hands-on treatment and soft tissue work
- Dry needling where appropriate
- Load management and workplace adjustments
- Technique and equipment advice for sport
Common questions
Will a brace fix it?
A brace can reduce symptoms in the short term, which is useful, but it does not build tendon capacity. It works best alongside a loading programme rather than instead of one.
Why is it taking so long?
Tendons adapt slowly, and elbow tendons are used constantly throughout the day. Consistent loading over several months is usually what turns it around.
Could it be my neck?
Yes, and it is worth checking. Neck referred pain into the elbow is common enough that we test for it routinely.