Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow causes pain around the outside of the elbow and can make gripping, lifting and everyday use of your arm uncomfortable. Despite its name, it can affect anyone, not only people who play tennis.
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy, affects the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. These muscles help you straighten your wrist and grip objects. The condition can develop when the tendon is repeatedly placed under more strain than it can comfortably manage. Although it is associated with racquet sports, it can also affect people whose work, hobbies or daily activities involve repeated gripping, lifting, twisting or wrist movement. Because other conditions can cause similar pain, an assessment can help confirm the diagnosis and identify any factors contributing to your symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can develop gradually and may include:
- Pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow
- Pain that spreads into the forearm
- Discomfort when gripping or lifting objects
- Pain when twisting the forearm, such as when opening a jar
- Reduced grip strength
- Pain during sport, work or repetitive hand movements
- Symptoms that become more noticeable after activity
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will ask when your symptoms began, which movements make them worse and how they are affecting your work, sport or daily activities.
They will then examine your elbow and may assess your wrist movement, grip strength and the tendon’s response to gentle resistance. Tennis elbow can usually be diagnosed from this assessment without the need for a scan.
Further investigations may occasionally include:
- X-rays to rule out other causes of elbow pain
- Ultrasound to assess the tendon
- MRI scans if the diagnosis remains unclear or more detailed assessment is needed
These findings will help your consultant recommend a treatment plan that reflects your symptoms and what you want to return to doing.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on how long you have had symptoms, their effect on your daily life and any activities contributing to the problem.
Most people can be treated without surgery. Your treatment plan may include:
- Temporarily modifying movements that aggravate the pain
- Physiotherapy and a progressive exercise programme
- Advice on lifting, sporting technique or workplace activities
- An elbow strap or wrist support in selected cases
- Pain relief where appropriate
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for persistent symptoms in selected cases
Your consultant and physiotherapist will help you understand how much activity is appropriate and how to build strength without placing too much strain on the tendon too quickly.
Treatment routes for tennis elbow
Most people with tennis elbow do not need surgery.
Treatment usually focuses on reducing strain on the tendon while gradually rebuilding strength through a structured physiotherapy programme. An elbow strap or support may provide temporary relief during certain activities. Shockwave therapy may be considered if symptoms remain persistent despite an appropriate rehabilitation programme.
The aim is to reduce pain, improve function and help you return to your usual activities over time.
Recovery goals after tennis elbow
Focus areas may include:
Reducing pain and irritation Protecting the tendon from further strain Beginning gentle movement and loading exercises Avoiding activities that worsen symptoms
As symptoms improve, rehabilitation aims to:
Improve tendon strength and load tolerance Restore grip strength Increase arm and wrist function Return to normal daily activities
The final stage of rehabilitation focuses on:
Returning to sport, work or recreation Improving strength and endurance Building confidence in using the arm Reducing the risk of recurrence
Working with elbow professionals and teams
Our elbow specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their elbows. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Elbow treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
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