Living with tennis elbow
Tennis elbow can make simple daily activities surprisingly hard. Pain often flares when gripping objects, lifting a pan, or using a mouse or racquet. It can also interrupt sleep if your arm rests in an awkward position. Around 1–3% of adults experience this condition at some point in their lives, especially between ages 35 and 55 1. The good news is that most people improve over several months with active recovery and rarely need surgery 2. Even when symptoms linger, recovery is very possible with guided care and gradual strengthening.
What are the symptoms of tennis elbow?
Common symptoms include:
- Pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow
- Pain that worsens when gripping, lifting, or twisting objects
- Aching that may spread down the forearm
- Weakened grip strength
- Stiffness in the morning or after rest
- Pain when typing, using tools, or playing racquet sports
- Trouble sleeping due to aching or pressure on the elbow
Did you know?
Most people with tennis elbow recover without any injections or surgery. Up to 89% report major improvement within one year, even without invasive treatments. 2 Structured, progressive exercise is one of the most effective ways to restore tendon health and prevent future flare-ups. 6
What causes tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow happens when the tendons that attach to the outer elbow are overloaded by repeated gripping or wrist extension movements. Over time, tiny tendon fibers break down faster than they can heal, leading to pain and sensitivity. Activities that raise your risk include:
- Repetitive arm and wrist motions (typing, painting, racquet sports)
- Heavy or awkward lifting
- Poor ergonomics or technique in work or sport
- Limited recovery time between repetitive tasks
- Age (most common between 35–55 years)
- Jobs involving forceful hand use, such as manufacturing or construction 3 4.
This isn’t caused by inflammation alone, but more likely wear and tear in the tendon’s collagen fibers. 5
When should I see a doctor for tennis elbow?
Most elbow pain improves with rest and gradual exercise.
Seek a doctor right away if you notice:
- Sudden severe pain after an injury or fall
- Redness, swelling, or fever
- Numbness or weakness in the hand or wrist
- Pain that wakes you at night or worsens over time
- Difficulty lifting or gripping despite home care
These could be signs of a different problem, such as a nerve issue or joint injury.
How is tennis elbow treated?
Most people recover without surgery through active care and patience. The focus is on easing pain, restoring strength, and improving how the arm handles load.
Common treatments include:
- Education and activity changes: Learn how to pace gripping or lifting tasks and use better wrist or shoulder positioning.
- Exercise-based rehabilitation: Gradual strengthening, starting with gentle isometrics (muscle contractions maintained in a static position, without joint movement) and progressing to eccentric and concentric wrist exercises with joint movement, often combined with shoulder and posture training 6 7.
- Bracing: A counterforce strap or wrist support can reduce pain during heavy or repetitive use.
- Medications: Short courses of topical or oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can ease pain for a week or two, though benefits are modest 8.
- Injections: Corticosteroid shots may give short-term relief but are linked to higher recurrence later 9. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or autologous blood injections remain uncertain options for long-term benefit.
- Surgery: Considered only after 6–12 months of persistent pain despite full rehab; only about 1–2% of people ultimately need surgery 2 10.
With consistent exercise and activity modification, most people start to notice improvement within 6–12 weeks and continue to build strength and confidence over several months.
Sword's approach
Sword Health helps people manage pain and movement issues with expert-guided AI care you can use from home. Our model combines clinical support with modern technology, designed to work around your life.
Sword makes recovery easier and more accessible. You get high-quality care at home, guided by clinicians and supported by smart technology.
- Care that adapts to your progress in real time
- Licensed experts guiding every step
- Simple, non-invasive, evidence-based programs
- Proven results for pain relief, movement, and satisfaction
Clinical insight
