28/10/2025
Tennis elbow is a term for pain on the outside of the elbow that is typically aggravated by gripping or lifting when the palm is facing downwards. One of the most common diagnoses for tennis elbow is tendinopathy of the common extensor tendons of the wrist, which is typically an overuse injury. The muscles that bend the wrist backwards connect via a tendon that attaches just above the elbow, at the bone on the outside of the elbow. This tendon can become painful after activities such as gripping, pruning and tennis.
Tennis elbow is typically caused by an increase in activities that load the tendon, such as gripping, tennis, pruning and DIY. The tendon becomes swollen. If left untreated, this pain and dysfunction can become more debilitating.
The diagnosis of tennis elbow is made by a combination of symptoms and signs. The symptoms include pain on the outside of the elbow and are aggravated by gripping or lifting with the palm turned downwards. In more chronic cases, the elbow may become stiff after periods of rest, such as first thing in the morning. Pain with gripping and tenderness on the bony point on the outside of the elbow may be a sign that you have tennis elbow.
Your physiotherapist will be able to accurately assess and differentiate the source of your elbow pain. Once your physiotherapist has established the source of your pain, they will discuss the best management of your condition and a plan to return you to being pain-free. Part of your physiotherapy management may include some hands-on treatment. Your physiotherapist will teach you how to do this yourself.
They may also perform a manual technique called mobilisation with movement (MWM), which has been demonstrated to assist with the pain of tennis elbow. Another possible treatment will use is exercises with weights, which will help relieve the pain, increase the ability of the tendon to cope with load and increase the strength of your forearm muscles. Your physiotherapist may fit you with a tennis elbow brace or use strapping to relieve the pain in the short term, but this will not be the solution to your problem and is not a substitute for exercise.