Tennis Elbow—When to Seek Medical Help

Tennis elbow may have derived its name from the popular lawn sport, but it's actually a misnomer because most people who suffer from it don't play tennis. By definition, tennis elbow is pain or soreness of the lateral side (the outer side) of an elbow that may extend down to the forearm and the back of the hand. Its symptoms include weakening of the grip, swelling and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and/or bony structures on the outside of the elbow, and pain in the elbow/arm area.

Tennis elbow is often the result of repetitive activities such as continuously extending the wrist or twisting the forearm to a “palm up” position. Plumbers, painters, cooks, butchers, and construction workers are just some of the people who often suffer from this condition. In sports, athletes who suffer from it are usually involved in a sport that requires them to grip something for long periods, such as a racket or a stick.

If it's your first time to experience tennis elbow, wait no longer than a month to have it seen by a medical professional. If you've had it before, seek medical help if conservative home treatments don't offer any improvement within four to eight weeks. Conservative home treatments for tennis elbow include ice or heat compression, and massage.