Do you feel a sharp pain on the outside of your elbow when you lift your morning coffee? Does shaking hands or turning a doorknob send a sudden ache down your forearm? You might be dealing with lateral epicondylitis—better known as tennis elbow. Despite the name, you don't need to be a tennis pro to develop this common overuse injury. It affects painters, plumbers, cooks, and office workers alike.
Identifying the symptoms early can prevent chronic pain and help you return to your daily activities faster. This guide explores the telltale signs of tennis elbow and outlines the path to recovery.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the Pain: Tennis elbow is caused by inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the elbow, often due to repetitive motion.
- Common Symptoms: Look for pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or twisting motions, usually centered on the bony bump on the outside of the elbow.
- Early Intervention Matters: Ignoring symptoms can lead to chronic weakness and longer recovery times.
- Expert Care in Pennsylvania: If elbow pain is limiting your life, Modern Edge Sports & Orthopedic Medicine offers advanced orthopedic care in Jeannette, PA. Schedule an appointment today to start your recovery.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Lateral epicondylitis occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overloaded, usually by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. These tendons anchor the muscles of your forearm to the lateral epicondyle—the bony bump on the outside of your elbow.
When you repeat certain motions over and over, such as swinging a racquet, using a screwdriver, or typing extensively, tiny tears can develop in the tendon. This leads to inflammation, pain, and tenderness that can radiate down the arm.
8 Signs You Might Have Tennis Elbow
Recognizing the specific patterns of pain is the first step toward diagnosis. Here are the eight most common indicators that your elbow pain is actually lateral epicondylitis.
1. Pain on the Outside of the Elbow
The most distinctive sign is pain or burning on the outer part of your elbow. This discomfort is usually centered on the bony prominence (lateral epicondyle). The pain may start as mild discomfort but can gradually worsen over weeks or months.
2. Weak Grip Strength
You may notice a sudden inability to hold objects firmly. This weakness occurs because the inflamed muscles and tendons in the elbow are responsible for wrist extension and grip. Simple tasks like holding a coffee cup or carrying a grocery bag might feel surprisingly difficult or painful.
3. Pain When Twisting or Turning
Rotational movements often aggravate tennis elbow. If you feel a sharp twinge when turning a doorknob, opening a jar, or using a screwdriver, it is a strong indicator of lateral epicondylitis.
4. Morning Stiffness
Many patients report that the elbow feels stiff and achy first thing in the morning. While the stiffness may loosen up as you move around, the pain often returns or intensifies with activity later in the day.
5. Radiating Pain Down the Forearm
While the source of the problem is the elbow, the pain rarely stays there. It often travels down the forearm toward the wrist and the back of the hand. This can sometimes lead people to believe they have a wrist issue rather than an elbow problem.
6. Discomfort During 'Wrist Extension'
Wrist extension refers to bending your hand backward (like a police officer stopping traffic). If performing this motion—especially against resistance—causes pain in the elbow, it puts stress directly on the affected extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle tendon.
7. Pain Worsens with Activity
Unlike some aches that improve as you 'warm up,' tennis elbow pain typically intensifies with use. Activities that involve repetitive wrist extension, such as typing, painting, or playing racquet sports, will trigger flare-ups.
8. Tenderness to the Touch
If the bony bump on the outside of your elbow is sensitive or painful when pressed, this point tenderness is a classic clinical sign used by doctors during a physical exam.
Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer's Elbow: What’s the Difference?
It is easy to confuse tennis elbow with its counterpart, medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow). While both are overuse injuries affecting the elbow, they impact different tendons and cause pain in different locations.
| Feature | Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) | Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) |
|---|---|---|
| Location of Pain | Outside (lateral) of the elbow | Inside (medial) of the elbow |
| Affected Tendons | Wrist extensors (back of forearm) | Wrist flexors (front of forearm) |
| Aggravating Motions | Lifting, gripping, extending wrist | Swinging, flexing wrist, lifting palm up |
| Radiation | Down the back of the forearm | Down the inner forearm to the pinky |
Risk Factors and Causes
Anyone can get tennis elbow, but certain factors increase your likelihood of developing the condition:
- Age: It is most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.
- Occupation: Jobs involving repetitive wrist motion (plumbers, painters, carpenters, butchers, and cooks) carry higher risk.
- Sports: Improper stroke technique in racquet sports is a major contributor.
- Unknown Causes: In many cases, the condition develops insidiously without a specific traumatic event or clear repetitive activity.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
If your symptoms persist despite rest and ice, it is time to see a specialist. At Modern Edge Sports & Orthopedic Medicine, diagnosis typically involves a physical exam and a discussion of your medical history. In some cases, X-rays or MRI scans may be ordered to rule out arthritis or fractures.
Treatment usually begins with conservative measures:
- Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding the activities that cause pain is crucial for healing.
- Physical Therapy: Specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the forearm muscles can reduce strain on the tendons.
- Bracing: A counterforce brace worn on the forearm can reduce tension on the injured tendon.
- Medication: NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may help reduce pain and swelling.
- Advanced Therapies: For persistent cases, corticosteroid injections or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may be considered.
Stop Living With Elbow Pain
Don't let elbow pain keep you from your job, your hobbies, or your daily routine. Understanding the signs of tennis elbow is the first step toward relief, but professional diagnosis ensures you treat the root cause effectively.
If you are experiencing these symptoms in Jeannette, PA, Modern Edge Sports & Orthopedic Medicine is here to help. Schedule an appointment for tennis elbow treatment today and get back to full strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tennis elbow heal on its own?
Yes, many cases of tennis elbow will eventually heal on their own with sufficient rest and activity modification. However, this process can take months (from 6 to 12 months or longer). seeking professional treatment can significantly speed up recovery and prevent recurrence.
Is heat or ice better for tennis elbow?
Ice is generally better for the acute stage of tennis elbow (the first few days or weeks) to reduce inflammation and numb the pain. Apply ice for 15-20 minutes several times a day. Heat may be used later to help loosen stiff muscles before stretching exercises.
Can I still work out with tennis elbow?
You can usually continue working out, provided you avoid exercises that aggravate the elbow. Avoid heavy gripping exercises, upright rows, or wrist curls. Focus on lower body or core workouts, and consult your orthopedic specialist about which upper body movements are safe.
When should I consider surgery?
Surgery is rarely the first option. It is typically considered only after 6 to 12 months of non-surgical treatments (like rest, therapy, and injections) have failed to provide relief. The vast majority of patients recover without needing surgical intervention.
