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Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a form of tendonitis affecting the tendons on the outer part of the elbow, caused by repetitive gripping or wrist movements. Despite the name, it's more commonly caused by everyday activities and manual work than by playing tennis.
Evidence checked against current HSE guidance for Tennis elbow, covering the article's core clinical information and relevant assessment, management or safety considerations.
Public health education article
Self-care advice — See a GP or physiotherapist if pain persists beyond a few weeks despite rest and simple self-care.
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Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a form of tendonitis affecting the tendons on the outer part of the elbow, caused by repetitive gripping or wrist movements. Despite the name, it's more commonly caused by everyday activities and manual work than by playing tennis.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
Pain persists despite rest and self-care for several weeks
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a form of tendonitis affecting the tendons on the outer part of the elbow, caused by repetitive gripping or wrist movements. Despite the name, it's more commonly caused by everyday activities and manual work than by playing tennis.
It causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, which can worsen with gripping, lifting, or twisting movements, such as shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or lifting a cup.
See a GP or physiotherapist if pain persists beyond a few weeks despite rest and simple self-care.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
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BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
Tennis elbow usually improves over several weeks to months with rest, bracing, and targeted exercises, though it can take patience to fully resolve.
A structured strengthening programme, once pain has settled, is often more effective long-term than rest alone.