Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow that makes gripping, lifting a kettle, typing and shaking hands painful, and most people who get it don’t play tennis. Physiotherapy for tennis elbow is available at all our clinics, and shockwave therapy at Hale and Bury.

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Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) is an overload of the tendons that attach to the outside of the elbow. It is common, it usually gets better with the right treatment, and surgery is rarely needed.

Common Causes of Tennis Elbow We See

• Repetitive gripping at work: desk work, manual trades and tools
• Racquet sports: tennis, padel and squash
• A sudden increase in activity: DIY, gardening or a new training programme
• Golfer’s elbow: the same problem on the inside of the elbow, which we also treat

How We Assess and Treat Tennis Elbow

Your assessment confirms the diagnosis, rules out problems that can mimic it (such as pain referred from the neck), and looks at the activities loading the tendon. Treatment may include:

Progressive Tendon Loading

A staged strengthening programme for the forearm tendons, a first-line, evidence-based treatment for tennis elbow, adjusted as your pain settles.

Shockwave Therapy

For tennis elbow that hasn’t settled with exercise alone, shockwave therapy can be added. It is usually given as a course of 4 to 6 sessions, at our Hale and Bury clinics.

Activity and Work Advice

Changes to grip, equipment and work set-up, and support with taping or bracing where it helps, so the tendon can recover while you stay active.

Your Tennis Elbow Specialist Team

At our Manchester clinic, consultant physiotherapist Kate Hindley treats tendon problems including tennis elbow, using staged loading programmes. All our physiotherapists are HCPC registered and experienced with tendon problems in everyone from office workers to professional athletes. Meet our team.

Cost and insurance. A 45-minute initial physiotherapy assessment starts from £53 (see our self-pay prices). We work with Bupa, WPA, AXA and Aviva, and you can claim back through a workplace cash plan such as Medicash or Westfield. Paying for yourself? You don’t need a GP referral. Claiming on insurance? Check with your insurer first, as some need a referral or authorisation code.

Tennis Elbow: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth seeing someone for tennis elbow?

Yes, especially if it has lasted more than a few weeks. The right exercise programme, started early, usually shortens recovery and reduces the chance of it coming back.

Is heat or ice better for tennis elbow?

Either can ease pain for a short time, so use whichever feels better. Neither fixes the tendon. What helps most is the right loading programme.

How long does tennis elbow take to heal?

It varies. Most cases settle within a year, often sooner with the right programme. We’ll give you a realistic timescale at your assessment.

Will I need surgery or an injection?

Rarely. Surgery is rarely needed, and most people improve with the right loading programme.

When should I see a doctor urgently?

Seek urgent medical help if your elbow is hot, red and swollen, you have a high temperature, you can’t bend or straighten it after a fall, or you have numbness or weakness in your hand.