With summer in full gear here in Collingwood, ON we want to talk about a common injury that can occur while playing racket sports such as tennis and pickle ball called “Tennis Elbow” or Lateral Epicondylalgia. Although you don’t need to be a tennis player to get tennis elbow—in fact, most people we see with this condition have never picked up a racket! At The Physio Hub we help clients recover from sports injuries and repetitive strain conditions like tennis elbow every day. Whether you’re lifting at work, swinging a golf club, or typing at a desk, the pain of tennis elbow can seriously limit your day-to-day function.
Let’s take a closer look at what tennis elbow actually is, how we treat it, and how long recovery takes.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylalgia, is an overuse injury that causes pain on the outside of the elbow. The pain comes from small tears or degeneration in the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the lateral epicondyle—the bony bump on the outside of your elbow.
The main muscles involved are the wrist extensors, particularly the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). These muscles help you extend your wrist and stabilize your forearm—actions that are used in everything from swinging a tennis racket to lifting grocery bags or working at a computer.
What Are the Signs of Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow often develops gradually and may start as mild discomfort that worsens over time. Key signs include:
- Pain or burning on the outside of the elbow
- Tenderness when pressing on the bony outer part of the elbow
- Weak grip strength
- Pain when lifting, gripping, or twisting (e.g., opening a jar or turning a doorknob)
- Discomfort that radiates down the forearm
What Is Mistaken for Tennis Elbow?
Several conditions can cause similar symptoms, and a proper diagnosis is key for effective treatment. Conditions often mistaken for tennis elbow include:
- Radial tunnel syndrome (nerve-related pain in the same area)
- Cervical spine issues (referred pain from the neck)
- Golfer’s elbow (pain on the inside of the elbow, not the outside)
- Arthritis or joint degeneration
At The Physio Hub, we do a thorough assessment to make sure we’re treating the right problem, not just the symptoms.
What’s the Best Way to treat Tennis Elbow?
The best approach is active, progressive rehabilitation—not just rest. Here’s how we treat it at The Physio Hub:
Load Management
Too much rest can weaken the tendon further. We teach you how to modify your activity (not avoid it) so healing can happen without losing strength.
Hands-On Physiotherapy
Manual therapy techniques can reduce pain and improve mobility in the surrounding muscles and joints.
Eccentric Strengthening
Targeted exercises that lengthen and strengthen the tendon (like wrist extensor eccentric loading) are key to recovery.
Education
Understanding your movement patterns, posture, and work setup can help prevent recurrence.
How Long Does It Take for Tennis Elbow to Heal?
Recovery time varies depending on the severity and how long you’ve had symptoms. Here’s a general guide:
- Mild to moderate cases: 6–12 weeks with consistent physiotherapy
- Chronic or long-standing cases: 3–6 months (sometimes longer)
Tennis elbow doesn’t go away overnight—but with the right rehab plan and guidance, you can get back to full function without pain.
Don’t Let Elbow Pain Hold You Back
At The Physio Hub, we take a movement-positive approach to recovery. That means helping you stay active while you heal, not just resting and waiting for symptoms to fade. Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend DIY-er, or someone with a repetitive strain injury, we’re here to help you get out of pain and back to doing what you love.
Dealing with tennis elbow? Let’s fix it, together.
Book an assessment today at The Physio Hub in Collingwood, ON, and get a personalized rehab plan that works for your goals, lifestyle, and movement needs.