Elbow pain that lingers or worsens with activity could point to a common overuse injury known as tennis elbow. This condition affects the outer part of the elbow and can make everyday tasks—from lifting a coffee cup to turning a doorknob—uncomfortable and frustrating.
At Interventional Pain & Spine in Wexford, PA, Dr. Mohammad Ali provides precise diagnosis and advanced, minimally invasive care for elbow injuries like tennis elbow. As a triple board-certified expert in pain medicine, neurology, and neurophysiology, Dr. Ali tailors treatment to your needs, helping you heal and regain strength without unnecessary downtime. To begin your personalized care plan, schedule an appointment or call us at (724) 714-3975 today.
Let’s take a closer look at what causes tennis elbow, how to recognize it early, and what treatment options may help you feel better faster.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) occurs when repetitive motions cause tiny tears in the common extensor tendon at the lateral epicondyle—the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow. Specifically, the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis brevis, a key wrist extensor muscle, is most frequently injured. This tendon helps stabilize your wrist when your elbow is straight.
Although it's named after tennis, you don't have to play tennis or other racquet sports to develop tennis elbow. Any repetitive motion involving the wrist and forearm muscles can cause this condition.
Common Symptoms and Early Warning Signs
The symptoms of tennis elbow usually develop gradually and can include:
- Pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow.
- Discomfort extending down the forearm muscles, sometimes reaching the wrist.
- Pain when gripping objects, such as holding a coffee cup or turning a doorknob.
- Increased pain during or after repetitive wrist movements, especially wrist extension.
- A weakened grip and difficulties performing daily activities involving the wrist extensors.
Pain typically worsens with activity and can become severe enough to disrupt daily tasks.
Causes and Risk Factors
Understanding what causes tennis elbow is key to preventing recurrence. Tennis elbow is primarily an overuse injury, caused by repeated motions that strain the elbow tendons, specifically during wrist extension movements. Common risk factors include:
- Repetitive arm movements involved in racket sports, particularly tennis strokes like the two-handed backhand, or improper techniques.
- Regular use of tools that involve repetitive gripping or twisting motions.
- Jobs or hobbies that involve repetitive movements of the forearm and wrist, like painting, plumbing, or carpentry.
- Age (most common between 30 and 50 years old).
- Poor conditioning and inadequate warm-up.
Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow
Treating tennis elbow depends on the severity of your symptoms and how long they’ve persisted. Most patients respond well to conservative care, while others may benefit from advanced therapies or minor procedures when pain becomes chronic or debilitating.
Conservative and At-Home Treatments
Initial management typically begins with simple, noninvasive approaches:
- Activity Modification: Avoid or reduce the repetitive movements that triggered your elbow pain. Allowing the tendon time to rest is essential for healing.
- Ice Therapy: Applying ice to the outer elbow several times a day helps reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
- NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) can ease pain and swelling during flare-ups.
- Bracing or Compression Bandages: A forearm strap or elbow brace can reduce tension on the affected tendon and support healing during everyday activity.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy remains one of the most effective ways to treat tennis elbow and restore long-term function. A structured rehabilitation plan often includes:
- Tennis elbow exercises to strengthen the wrist extensors, especially the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle.
- Gentle stretches to improve flexibility and increase blood flow to the injured tissue.
- Manual therapy techniques and soft tissue mobilization to address stiffness, improve mobility, and reduce pain.
Your physical therapist may also guide you in correcting movement patterns to prevent re-injury.
Advanced Interventional Treatments
For persistent or moderate-to-severe cases that don’t respond to basic care, Interventional Pain & Spine offers advanced therapies that promote healing and reduce pain more directly:
- Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT): A noninvasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in the injured tendon.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: PRP delivers concentrated platelets from your own blood to the affected area, releasing growth factors that accelerate tissue repair.
- Corticosteroid Injections: In select cases, a steroid injection may help relieve pain and inflammation, particularly for short-term symptom control.
These treatments are performed in-office and typically require little to no downtime.
Surgical Treatment
If symptoms persist despite comprehensive nonsurgical care, minimally invasive tennis elbow surgery may be considered. This outpatient procedure involves removing damaged tendon tissue and restoring healthy tendon structure, often using a small incision with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue.
Surgery is reserved for patients with severe, chronic pain or those who have not responded to 6–12 months of appropriate therapy.
Tips for Preventing Tennis Elbow Recurrence
After recovering from tennis elbow, taking steps to prevent a recurrence is essential—especially if you remain active in sports or repetitive work. A few small adjustments can go a long way toward keeping your elbow healthy and pain-free:
- Warm Up Properly: Always warm up the arm, wrist, and forearm muscles before engaging in sports, especially racket sports or repetitive upper limb activities.
- Maintain Strength and Flexibility: Incorporate regular stretching and light strengthening exercises that target the wrist extensors and surrounding forearm muscles. This supports tendon health and improves resilience.
- Refine Your Technique: Poor form is a common contributor to overuse injuries. Work with a coach or trainer to ensure you’re using proper grip size, stroke mechanics, or lifting technique.
- Use the Right Equipment: A properly fitted tennis racket or ergonomic tool can significantly reduce stress on the elbow joint and surrounding tendons.
- Limit Repetitive Strain: Take frequent breaks during prolonged or repetitive tasks, and listen to your body. Early rest is key at the first sign of discomfort.
With these preventive measures, many individuals can return to their favorite activities while minimizing the risk of future injury
Why Choose Dr. Mohammad Ali at Interventional Pain & Spine?
If you're struggling with persistent elbow pain, you deserve care from a specialist who understands both the root cause and the most effective ways to treat it. At Interventional Pain & Spine in Wexford, PA, Dr. Mohammad Ali offers a rare combination of expertise and precision.
Dr. Ali is a triple board-certified physician in pain medicine, neurology, and neurophysiology. His approach combines advanced diagnostics with a personalized, results-driven care plan tailored to each patient’s needs and lifestyle.
What sets our care apart:
- Accurate, expert diagnosis using in-depth evaluation and imaging when needed
- Minimally invasive procedures to target pain without extensive recovery
- Regenerative therapies, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), to promote natural healing
- Custom physical therapy referrals designed to complement in-office treatments
- Comprehensive support from consultation through follow-up care
Whether you’re dealing with acute symptoms or chronic elbow pain, Dr. Ali and our team are committed to restoring your comfort and function—so you can return to the activities you enjoy with confidence.
Find Lasting Relief from Tennis Elbow Pain
Tennis elbow doesn’t have to limit your activity or quality of life. With expert diagnosis and tailored treatment, Dr. Ali can help relieve pain, restore function, and support long-term healing.
Schedule a consultation today at Interventional Pain & Spine in Wexford, PA, to start your recovery from tennis elbow with care that prioritizes your comfort, function, and long-term results.
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