Tennis Elbow
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury involving the tendons on the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, it’s not limited to tennis players — it commonly affects anyone performing repetitive gripping, lifting, or wrist extension activities.
Common Symptoms
Pain or burning on the outer elbow
Tenderness over the bony prominence (lateral epicondyle)
Pain when gripping, shaking hands, or lifting objects
Weak grip strength
How a Physical Therapist Diagnoses Tennis Elbow
Diagnosis is typically made through history and clinical exam. A PT assesses pain with resisted wrist or finger extension, tenderness at the lateral elbow, and grip strength. Special tests (Cozen’s or Mill’s test) help confirm the diagnosis.
Why it Happens
Tennis elbow develops from repetitive overuse of the wrist extensor tendons, leading to microtears and degeneration. Athletes in racquet sports are prone, but it’s equally common in carpenters, painters, and office workers.
Why it Doesn’t Always Heal on Its Own
Without addressing the underlying tissue irritation and mechanics, the condition can persist for months. Continued aggravation without rehab may lead to chronic pain and reduced function.
Ideal Physical Therapy Treatment
Effective rehab combines pain relief strategies, tendon loading, and movement retraining. Dry needling can be used to reduce muscle tension and promote healing of irritated tissues.
Key components include:
Manual therapy for elbow, wrist, and shoulder mobility
Dry needling of the forearm extensors to reduce tension and promote tendon healing
Eccentric strengthening of wrist extensors for tendon remodeling
Grip and forearm strengthening to restore function
Ergonomic and technique correction for activity modification
Expected Outcomes
With consistent therapy, most individuals regain pain-free function within weeks to months. Eccentric strengthening and proper load management are key to long-term success.