Tennis Elbow / Golfer's Elbow
If gripping a coffee cup, shaking hands, or turning a door handle has started to feel surprisingly painful, there is a good chance tennis elbow is behind it.
Despite the name, most people who come to us with this condition have never picked up a racket in their life. It affects anyone whose arm has been asked to do the same thing, repeatedly, for longer than it was ready for.
What is actually happening: Tennis elbow is the name given to a condition affecting the tendon that attaches the forearm muscles to the bony point on the outside of the elbow. The clinical term is lateral epicondylitis, though the condition is now better understood as a degenerative change in the tendon rather than a simple inflammation. With repeated use over time, the tendon tissue breaks down at a microscopic level, and that is what produces the pain, weakness, and sensitivity that tends to build gradually before becoming hard to ignore.
The pain typically sits on the outer side of the elbow and can travel into the forearm. Gripping is usually the main trigger, whether that is picking something up, opening a jar, or squeezing a handle. Some people also find that resting the arm in certain positions is uncomfortable. It develops slowly rather than appearing suddenly after a single incident, which is partly why people often put up with it for a while before seeking help.
What tends to cause it
Repetitive strain is the usual culprit. Tennis players are affected because of the repeated wrist and forearm action involved in groundstrokes, but so are painters, plumbers, gardeners, and people who spend long hours at a keyboard or regularly carry loads with a straight arm. The common thread is doing a lot of the same thing over a sustained period, often when the forearm has not quite built up the conditioning for the level of demand being placed on it. Sometimes a change in activity is enough to trigger it: a new job, a busier-than-usual period, picking up a hobby, or returning to sport after time off. The tendon responds to cumulative load, so even small changes can tip things over the edge if the timing is not right.
How we approach it at BTC
The right starting point is an osteopathic assessment. Your osteopath will look at the elbow, forearm, and surrounding structures to understand what is driving the problem and work out the most appropriate course of treatment for you specifically.
Depending on what the assessment finds, shockwave therapy may be the primary recommendation. Shockwave is a well-established treatment for lateral epicondylitis, and for many presentations of tennis elbow it is one of the most direct routes to meaningful improvement. All of our osteopaths who carry out shockwave are fully registered with the General Osteopathic Council and have received additional specialist training in its use. If your osteopath recommends it, it will be because they have assessed it as the right option for you.
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You do not need a confirmed diagnosis to come in
A lot of people arrive unsure whether the pain in their elbow is tennis elbow, a joint issue, or something else entirely. That is completely fine. If your elbow or forearm has been causing trouble and is not settling on its own, that is enough reason to book. Our osteopaths will assess what is going on from scratch and build a plan from there.
Questions people ask us
I have never played tennis. Can I still have tennis elbow?
Absolutely, and it is one of the most common things people ask us about this condition. Tennis elbow is a named condition based on its location and the mechanism behind it, not because it only affects tennis players. Anyone who uses their forearm and wrist in a repetitive way can develop it, and the majority of people we see with it have no sporting connection at all.
Do I need a scan before coming in?
Not usually. Tennis elbow can be assessed and treated effectively without imaging in most cases. If you have already had a scan, your osteopath will take that into account. If they feel imaging would help clarify the picture, they will explain why and advise you accordingly.
I have had elbow pain for months. Is it still worth coming in?
Yes. Many people put up with tennis elbow for a long time before seeking treatment, partly because it can have better days that make it feel like it might resolve on its own. Longer-standing presentations do take more work than a recent flare-up, but they respond well to the right approach, and persistent tendon conditions are exactly the kind of thing where shockwave therapy tends to be particularly effective.
Related Conditions
Rotator cuff syndrome: shoulder pain that is particularly difficult when lifting the arm or reaching overhead can involve the rotator cuff tendons rather than the joint or neck.
Still Not Sure?
If you're in pain and wondering whether we can help, that's exactly why we're here. You don't need to know what the problem is. You don't need a referral. You just need to take the first step. Book online today or call 020 7733 9944 to speak to us.