Fun Fact: This condition is commonly called “tennis elbow”, yet only 10% of people that have this injury play tennis.
Other names:
- Lateral epicondylalgia
- Lateral epicondylopathy
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Common Extensor Origin (CEO) tendinitis/tendinopathy
What is tennis elbow?
- An injury to the tendons where they connect to the bone on the outside of the elbow
- Typically involves the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle tendon, but other tendons can be affected as well
- If your palm is facing down, it generally affects the muscles that extend/lift your hand and fingers towards the ceiling
What causes tennis elbow?
- Excess strain on the tendons
- Repetitive/chronic overuse
- High force/torque placed on the muscles (often related to sports or occupation)
What are the symptoms of tennis elbow?
- Pain and/or weakness with gripping (i.e. lifting groceries)
- Pain with typing and using the mouse at work
- Pain with wrist extension (i.e. taking a plate down from a high cabinet)
- Pain worse at night
- Stiffness in the morning
- Tenderness/bruised feeling on outside of elbow
- Pain with forearm rotation movements (i.e. opening jars or using a screwdriver)
How can therapy help?
- Advice on modifying certain activities based on your specific case
- Exercises to help with pain relief, improve strength and function, and help you return to your activities. This is the most evidence-based treatment for this condition.
- Hands-on manual therapy or acupuncture to help with pain relief and movement of your arm
For a more detailed explanation on tendon pain and injuries, check out our tendon pain blog.
