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Living With Tennis Elbow: What You Need to Know

  • Writer: George Abraham
    George Abraham
  • Jun 27
  • 4 min read

Most people think “tennis elbow” only happens to tennis players. The truth is, you can get it even if you’ve never stepped on a court.

 

Tennis elbow is a painful condition that starts on the outside of your elbow. It creeps in slowly. At first, it might feel like a little soreness. Then one day, lifting a pan, shaking hands, or even turning a doorknob sends a sharp pain through your arm.

 

It’s frustrating, because you don’t remember injuring it. But here’s the thing: tennis elbow doesn’t come from one big injury—it comes from doing the same motion over and over again. It’s more common than most people realise, and it can happen to anyone.

 

What Causes It?

Tennis elbow happens when the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to your elbow get overused. These tendons are what help you grip, lift, and move your wrist and fingers. When you use them too much—especially with bad posture or without rest—they start to wear down and get inflamed.

 

The name comes from the fact that many tennis players get it. But we see it just as often in carpenters, plumbers, office workers, cooks, painters, cleaners, and even stay-at-home parents. You don’t need to be athletic to end up with this problem.

 

The Symptoms Are Hard to Ignore

Pain or burning on the outer part of your elbow

 

Pain when gripping things like a pen or mug

 

Weakness in your hand or forearm

 

Pain that spreads from your elbow down to your wrist

 

It’s often worse when you’re doing something with your hand or arm—gripping, lifting, even opening jars. But sometimes it just aches even when you’re doing nothing.

 

When Should You Worry?

If the pain has been around for more than a week or two and isn’t going away with rest, ice, or over-the-counter painkillers, you should get it looked at.

 

At Adam Vital Hospital, we see people who’ve ignored the pain for months, thinking it would go away. But the longer you leave it, the harder it gets to treat.

 

It’s also worth checking to make sure it is tennis elbow. Sometimes pain in that area can be from a pinched nerve or arthritis. A proper exam will tell you what’s going on.

 

How It’s Treated

Most of the time, tennis elbow gets better without surgery. But it takes patience and the right care.

 

1. Rest Your Arm

First, you have to stop doing what’s causing the problem. That might mean changing how you lift things, adjusting your desk setup, or taking a break from certain tasks at work. Don’t push through the pain—it’ll only make things worse.


 

2. Ice and Pain Relief

Use an ice pack on your elbow for 10–15 minutes a few times a day, especially when it hurts. Painkillers like ibuprofen can also help reduce swelling.

 

3. Physiotherapy

This is where we see the biggest results. At Adam Vital Hospital, our physiotherapists work with you one-on-one to stretch and strengthen the muscles around your elbow. It’s not just about healing—it’s about fixing the root of the problem so it doesn’t come back.

 

We don’t give you cookie-cutter exercises. We tailor everything to your job, your lifestyle, and how bad the pain is.

 

4. Braces and Supports

Sometimes, a simple forearm strap can take pressure off the tendon and give it time to heal. You wear it just below the elbow, especially when doing things that would normally cause pain.

 

5. Advanced Options

If none of this helps after a few months, there are other options. We offer PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and shockwave therapy for cases that don’t improve with regular care. These aren’t needed for everyone, but they can be helpful if the tendon damage is more serious.

 

Surgery is very rare and usually only a last resort when everything else fails.

 

Recovery Isn’t Instant, But It Happens

Most people feel better within a few weeks to a few months. It depends on how severe the strain is and how committed you are to rest and rehab.

 

It’s tempting to jump back into your usual routine once the pain starts to fade, but that’s a mistake we see often. Healing takes time. Don’t rush it.

 

Can It Come Back?

Yes, and often it does if you go back to the same habits without changing anything. That’s why we always teach patients not just how to heal, but how to prevent it in the future:

 

Learn proper lifting techniques

 

Take breaks during repetitive work

 

Use ergonomic tools

 

Do regular stretching and strengthening exercises

 

Final Thoughts

Tennis elbow isn’t just annoying—it can seriously mess with your everyday life. From work to basic household tasks, everything becomes harder when your arm hurts. But the good news is, with the right care, most people recover fully.

 

At Adam Vital Hospital, we treat tennis elbow every week. We don’t rush you in and out—we take time to understand your routine, your job, and what’s really causing the strain. Because healing doesn’t come from one solution. It comes from the right plan made just for you.

 

If your elbow pain is holding you back, don’t wait it out. Let us help you get your strength—and your life—back.

 
 
 

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