Tennis Elbow Without Playing Tennis

A Surprising Source of Pain

Tennis elbow — also known as lateral epicondylitis — doesn’t just happen to tennis players. In fact, over 95% of people who get tennis elbow don’t play tennis at all. It often affects tradies, office workers, and parents of young kids, and is most common between the ages of 35 and 55. It’s estimated that up to 3% of adults are affected every year, and it can last 6 months or longer without proper care. For some, it becomes a chronic issue that interferes with work, sleep, and exercise — and that adds up to a significant cost to the community.

What’s Actually Happening in Your Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a tendon problem. It occurs where the forearm muscles (used to grip, lift, or twist) attach to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. Repeating the same movements — like using a screwdriver, lifting a frying pan, or typing — can cause tiny tears in the tendon, leading to pain, weakness, and difficulty gripping objects. It’s not just an “inflammation” problem — the tendon’s structure becomes irritated and weakened over time.

What Really Works for Treatment

Research shows the best way to treat tennis elbow is through progressive loading — specific exercises that help the tendon rebuild strength. A physiotherapist will guide you through:

• Isometric and eccentric exercises
• Grip and forearm strength training
• Wrist and shoulder mobility work
• Activity modification to reduce strain

Manual therapy (massage or joint mobilisation) and taping may help relieve symptoms in the short term, but exercise is the main ingredient for long-term recovery.

Most people improve over 8–12 weeks, but full recovery can take longer for some.

Treatments That Don’t Always Deliver

Many people try cortisone injections, but these often give only short-term relief and may increase the risk of recurrence. PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections and shockwave therapy are sometimes used, but the evidence is mixed. Braces can help reduce load temporarily, but they are not a long-term fix.

Passive treatments like ultrasound, laser, or acupuncture lack strong research support. Surgery is rarely needed, and only considered after 6–12 months of failed non-surgical treatment.

What’s Next in Managing Tennis Elbow?

New tools like grip strength sensors and AI-guided exercise apps are being explored to monitor progress and personalise rehab. Researchers are also looking at tendon imaging to predict which patients will recover faster and which may need more intensive care. Education is improving too — patients who understand the condition are more likely to stick to their rehab.

Can You Prevent It? Absolutely.

• Avoid sudden increases in hand-heavy tasks
• Strengthen your grip, forearm, and shoulder muscles
• Take breaks during repetitive work or lifting
• Use tools with larger handles or better grip support
• Don’t ignore early signs of discomfort — get help early