What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is pain in the tendons that attach to the small bony bump on the outside of the elbow. These tendons belong to the forearm muscles that extend the wrist and fingers, the ones that work when you grip, hold or twist something.
People often call it "elbow tendinitis", but the tendon is not always inflamed: above all, it has become sensitive to load. For the general mechanism, read our article Tendinopathy: why tendon pain persists and our page Tendinitis.
How to recognise it
The League describes elbow pain on exertion, and also at rest once the problem becomes chronic, as well as pain that can spread into the forearm. In daily life this often means:
- pain when shaking hands, opening a jar or wringing a cloth;
- discomfort lifting a cup or bottle with the arm outstretched;
- a tender spot on the outside of the elbow;
- sometimes reduced grip strength.
Outer or inner elbow: tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
When the pain is on the inside of the elbow, it is called "golfer's elbow". The principle is the same: a tendon loaded beyond what it tolerates. Pain on the inside of the elbow with tingling in the ring and little fingers may, however, point to an irritated nerve running along the inside of the elbow, and deserves a medical opinion.
Why the elbow becomes painful
According to the Swiss League against Rheumatism, the most common cause is overloading the forearm muscles. It mentions in particular:
- poor technique in racket sports or golf;
- poor posture when working at a computer (keyboard, mouse);
- overload from housework and gardening.
The League also points out that amateur rather than professional athletes tend to develop tennis elbow. In practice, a sudden increase in load is often involved: a house move, a weekend of DIY, a new mouse, a busier period at work.
Warning signs: when to seek care without waiting
The vast majority of elbow pain is benign. The following signs, however, call for a prompt or urgent medical opinion:
Seek care immediately (emergency department) if you have:
- a fall or blow with a deformed elbow, major swelling or inability to bend or straighten the arm;
- a red, hot, swollen elbow with fever;
- left arm pain with chest tightness, breathlessness or sweating.
See your doctor promptly if:
- tingling, numbness or weakness in the hand appears;
- the pain is present at rest and at night, unrelated to movement;
- several joints are swollen or stiff;
- the pain does not ease after several weeks despite adapting your activities.
In the vast majority of cases, none of these signs is present.
What to do day to day
The Swiss League against Rheumatism lists as treatment basics: patient information, ergonomic measures, a wrist splint, medication, manual soft-tissue techniques and stretching exercises; surgery is reserved for exceptional cases. More broadly, it stresses that for soft-tissue rheumatism, staying active and moving is preferable to excessive rest and passive treatments.
In practice:
- Adjust rather than stop. Temporarily reduce the movements that trigger pain (strong gripping, carrying with the arm outstretched, screwing), without immobilising the arm.
- Lift objects with your palm facing up (as if carrying a tray) and keep loads close to your body.
- Review your workstation: keyboard height, mouse position, wrist in a neutral position.
- Return to activities gradually, watching how the elbow feels the next day.
What does the research say?
A 2024 systematic review (Garzón et al.) looked at how tendinopathies evolve without treatment. People with tennis elbow who were not treated improved partly over the first months, although symptoms had not always fully resolved after 12 to 16 weeks: adjusting the load and getting support therefore makes sense. Injections, shockwave therapy and medication should be discussed with your doctor; for alternatives to cortisone, read Tendinopathy without cortisone.
The first consultation lasts 1.5 to 2 hours (CHF 182). Bring your medical file, your test results (ultrasound, MRI, reports) and a list of your medications. We review your situation and build your plan together. Follow-up is then adapted to your progress. We work alongside your GP and the other professionals caring for you, including your physiotherapist.
Which approaches may have a place at Centre Algos?
Depending on your situation, several approaches can be combined, alongside your medical care and physiotherapy:
- Naturopathy: sleep, diet, stress management and metabolic balance, to work on the lifestyle habits that can influence pain.
- Cupping: applied to the forearm, shoulder and neck, it can help release muscle tension.
- Breuss massage: a gentle massage along the spine that can help the back and neck relax.
- Percutaneous hydrotomy: subcutaneous micro-injections; it may be considered when the situation is suitable, after assessment, once warning signs have been ruled out and in agreement with your medical care. Price on quotation, set at the first consultation according to your situation.
Everyone responds differently: the aim is to regain comfort and strength in everyday movements, without promising a result.
When to seek care
What is happening in your case
This text describes general mechanisms. What keeps your elbow pain going, in your particular situation, deserves a real conversation rather than a generic answer.
A question before you decide? Book a free 10-minute call to see whether our approach suits you.
