What activities make it hurt?
Turning a doorknob, wringing a towel, lifting a coffee mug or using a mouse—anything that extends the wrist or grips firmly—causes pain on the outside of the elbow. Pain on the inside is golfer's elbow. Wrist pain may be De Quervain's tenosynovitis; numb fingers suggest carpal tunnel syndrome.
How is tennis elbow treated?
Modify painful activities, wear a counterforce strap just below the elbow, and do eccentric wrist-extensor exercises and stretches. Cortisone shots bring short-term relief, but a Lancet review found worse outcomes at one year compared with waiting (Coombes et al., 2010). Most people recover in 6–12 months, and surgery is rarely needed.
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
FAQ
- Should I rest completely?
- No—gradual loading within your pain limits usually works better than total rest.
- Do PRP injections work?
- Evidence is mixed; some studies show modest benefit.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Lenoir, H., Mares, O., & Carlier, Y. (2019). Management of lateral epicondylitis. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research, 105(8S), S241–S246.
- Coombes, B. K., Bisset, L., & Vicenzino, B. (2010). Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy. The Lancet, 376(9754), 1751–1767.