Tennis Elbow

Pain on the outside of the elbow, worse with gripping, lifting or twisting, such as opening jars, carrying bags or using tools or a mouse. Most people get it from work or everyday tasks, not tennis. It is a tendon problem, mostly from overload. It usually settles on its own within 12 to 18 months, often sooner.

Treatment options

Ratings show how strong the research is.

• Moderate evidenceAdjust your load and give it timeKeep using the arm, but ease off tasks that cause more than mild pain and change how you do them. Most people recover with this alone.
• Moderate evidenceStrengthening exercisesA physio-guided program that slowly builds up load on the forearm muscles and tendon over 6 to 12 weeks or more. Helps pain and function in the first few months.
• Limited evidenceForearm braceA strap just below the elbow may ease pain during activities. Cheap and safe to try.
• Limited evidenceAnti-inflammatory gelSuch as diclofenac gel. May ease pain for a few weeks.
• Limited evidenceShockwave therapyMixed results. Better-quality trials show little benefit over placebo.
• Limited evidenceSurgeryRarely needed. Only considered if pain lasts more than 6 to 12 months despite good non-surgical care, and benefit is uncertain.
• Not recommendedSteroid injectionEases pain for a few weeks, but people are less likely to be better at 1 year and far more likely to relapse (54% vs 12% with a placebo injection in a large Australian trial).
• Not recommendedPRP or blood injectionsNo better than placebo injections, and costly.

What you can do

• Lift with your palm facing up, use both hands, and use thicker grips on tools and racquets.
• Take regular breaks from repetitive tasks and keyboard or mouse work.
• Paracetamol, ice, or a short course of anti-inflammatory tablets can ease pain. Check with your pharmacist.
• Return to sport gradually. A coach can check your technique and grip size.

See your GP if

• Pain isn’t improving after 6 to 12 weeks
• Pain stops you working or sleeping
• You have numbness, tingling or weakness in your hand, or neck pain spreading down your arm
• Pain started after a fall or injury

See a doctor the same day for a hot, red, swollen elbow, especially with fever, or if you can’t bend or straighten your elbow after an injury.

Evidence and more information

• Healthdirect: Tennis elbow
• Coombes et al, JAMA 2013: steroid injection and physiotherapy trial
• Cochrane: Blood and PRP injections for lateral elbow pain

Reviewed October 2026. General education, not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your situation, so talk to your GP or pharmacist.

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