Tennis elbow is pain on the outer side of the elbow caused by strain at the tendon attachment of the forearm extensor muscles. The name is misleading because the problem is often caused by everyday repetitive work.
What it feels like#
Pain often appears when gripping, lifting a cup, turning a door handle or squeezing the hand. The area may be tender and the grip can feel weaker.
What helps#
The most useful first step is to reduce the movements that keep provoking pain. A support strap can help during strain. Gentle stretching and later strengthening exercises are usually part of recovery.
Pain relief or a cold pack can help short-term comfort, but they do not solve the load problem by themselves.
What to avoid#
Do not keep working through the same painful motion at full intensity. At the same time, do not stop using the arm entirely for weeks unless you have been told to do so.
When to seek care#
Seek care if pain persists for weeks, grip strength keeps dropping, or the pain starts to interfere with sleep or work. Also seek review if the elbow pain follows a clear injury.
Further reading and sources#
Further reading: