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Specialized Tennis Elbow Treatment in Iowa
Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, causes pain on the outside of your elbow. It happens when the tendons connecting your forearm muscles to your elbow wear down or become damaged.
Repeated gripping, lifting, or twisting often causes this condition. Most people get better without surgery.
At Iowa Specialty Orthopedics, we help patients find the cause of their elbow pain and choose the right treatment. Our orthopedic team offers nonsurgical care and advanced treatment options to help you reduce pain, improve movement, and return to your daily activities.
Schedule an Appointment Online or Call: 515-955-6767
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a common injury that affects the tendons on the outside of your elbow.
Tendons are strong bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. When you use your wrist and forearm over and over, the tendons near your elbow can develop small areas of damage. Over time, this damage can cause pain, tenderness, and weakness.
Although the name comes from tennis, most people with tennis elbow don't play the sport. Everyday tasks, work, and hobbies can also put stress on these tendons.
Tennis elbow can affect either arm, but it often develops in the arm you use most.
What Are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
The most common symptom is pain or tenderness on the outside of your elbow. The pain often starts slowly and gets worse over time.
Other tennis elbow symptoms may include:
- Pain that spreads from your elbow into your forearm or wrist
- A weak grip when holding objects
- Pain when lifting or carrying items
- Discomfort when twisting your wrist or turning a doorknob
- Elbow stiffness or elbow soreness
- Pain that gets worse during daily activities
Not all elbow discomfort and pain comes from tennis elbow. An orthopedic exam can help determine the cause of your symptoms.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow often develops from repeated arm or wrist movements. Over time, these movements strain the tendons that help you lift and straighten your wrist, causing damage and pain.
Repetitive Work Activities
Jobs that require frequent gripping, lifting, or twisting may increase your risk of tennis elbow.
Examples include:
- Painting
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Working with hand tools
- Cutting food or preparing meals
- Repeated use of certain work equipment
Sports and Exercise
Tennis, pickleball, weightlifting, and other activities that involve repeated arm movements can also cause tennis elbow.
Poor technique, poorly fitting equipment, or sudden increases in activity can put extra strain on your elbow.
Everyday Activities
You don't have to play sports or work a physical job to develop tennis elbow. Gardening, home repairs, and other hobbies can place stress on your forearm tendons.
Sometimes, tennis elbow develops without a clear cause.
Who Is Most Likely to Get Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow can affect anyone, but it most often occurs in adults ages 30 to 60.
You may have a higher risk if you:
- Often grip, lift, or twist objects
- Play racket sports
- Use hand tools at work or at home
- Repeat the same wrist movements throughout the day
- Recently increased your activity level
You can also develop tennis elbow without any of these risk factors.
Tennis Elbow vs Golfer's Elbow
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow both affect tendons around the elbow, but they cause pain in different places.
| Tennis Elbow | Golfer's Elbow |
|---|---|
| Pain on the outside of the elbow | Pain on the inside of the elbow |
| Affects tendons that help lift and straighten the wrist | Affects tendons that help bend the wrist |
| Pain often increases with gripping, lifting, or twisting | Pain often increases with gripping or bending the wrist |
Both conditions can make everyday tasks painful. Elbow bursitis is another condition that causes discomfort, but it often creates a soft lump or visible swelling at the back of the elbow.
Our orthopedic team can help you understand which condition may be causing your pain.
How Is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?
Your orthopedic provider will ask about your symptoms, daily activities, and medical history. Most cases of tennis elbow can be diagnosed with a physical exam.
If your provider suspects another problem, they may recommend imaging tests, such as:
- X-rays to check for arthritis, bone problems, or other injuries
- Ultrasound to examine tendons and nearby soft tissue
- MRI to look more closely at tendon damage or other conditions
Not everyone needs imaging. Your provider will recommend testing based on your symptoms.
How Do You Treat Tennis Elbow?
Many people recover from tennis elbow without surgery. Treatment focuses on easing pain, reducing stress on the injured tendon, and helping your arm regain strength.
Your orthopedic provider will recommend care based on your symptoms, activity level, and how long you've had pain.
Rest and Activity Changes
Giving your elbow time to recover is an important first step. You may need to reduce or change activities that cause pain, such as heavy lifting, repeated gripping, or certain sports.
You don't always need to stop using your arm completely. Your provider can help you find ways to stay active without making your symptoms worse.
Ice and Pain Relief
Applying ice to the painful area may help ease discomfort after activity. Over-the-counter pain medicine may also provide short-term relief. Ask your healthcare provider which medications are safe for you, especially if you have other health conditions or take prescription medicine.
Elbow Braces and Elbow Straps
A tennis elbow sleeve, strap, or brace may help reduce stress on the injured tendon. These supports are usually worn around the forearm or wrist.
Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow
Physical therapy can help improve strength, flexibility, and movement.
Your therapist may recommend exercises that gently stretch and strengthen your forearm muscles and tendons. Treatment may also include changes to how you lift, grip, or use tools.
Injections for Tennis Elbow
If your pain continues despite other treatments, your provider may discuss tennis elbow injection options.
Cortisone injections may offer short-term pain relief for some patients. However, they do not always provide lasting improvement, and repeated injections may weaken tendon tissue.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a regenerative medical treatment that uses a concentrated dose of your own blood platelets to heal damaged forearm tendons.
Not every patient needs an injection. Your orthopedic provider can explain the possible benefits, risks, and other options.
Does Tennis Elbow Require Surgery?
Surgery is rarely the first treatment for tennis elbow. Most patients improve with rest, physical therapy, bracing, and other nonsurgical care.
Surgery aims to reduce pain and improve elbow function. Afterward, physical or occupational therapy may help you regain strength and movement.
Your orthopedic surgeon may recommend surgery if you still have serious pain after 6 to 12 months of treatment.
How Long Does Tennis Elbow Take to Heal?
Recovery depends on how much tendon damage you have, how long you've had symptoms, and which treatments you need. Some people notice relief within a few weeks. For others, recovery takes several months or longer.
Tennis elbow often improves with nonsurgical care, but the tendon needs time to heal. Returning to painful activities too soon can slow your progress.
Can You Prevent Tennis Elbow?
You may not be able to prevent every case of tennis elbow, but a few changes can help lower your risk.
Try these tips:
- Take breaks from repeated gripping or twisting
- Use proper form when playing sports
- Choose tools and equipment that fit your hands
- Avoid lifting heavy objects with an awkward grip
- Build forearm strength with recommended exercises
- Increase new activities slowly
If certain tasks keep causing elbow pain, talk with your provider about safer ways to perform them.
When Should You See an Orthopedic Provider?
Schedule an orthopedic evaluation if:
- Your pain continues after a week or two of home care
- Your grip feels weak
- Pain makes it hard to work or complete daily tasks
- Your symptoms keep returning
- Elbow pain affects your sleep
- You have trouble moving your elbow or wrist
Seek prompt medical care if you develop severe pain, major swelling, redness with fever, or sudden weakness. Get emergency care after an injury if your elbow looks out of place or you cannot move your arm.
Get Help for Tennis Elbow Pain in Iowa
Don't let elbow pain keep you from work, hobbies, or the activities you enjoy. If your symptoms started recently or have bothered you for months, Iowa Specialty Orthopedics can help identify the cause and recommend the right treatment.
Our orthopedic team can answer your questions and help you reduce pain, build strength, and improve movement.
