Tennis Elbow FAQs

Expert Answers from Certified Hand Therapist Chen Li

If you’ve been diagnosed with tennis elbow, or suspect you might have it, you probably have many questions about symptoms, causes, recovery and treatment. Our accredited hand therapist, Chen Li, answers the most common patient questions to help provide more information about this condition.

Last updated: 4 October 2025
Medically reviewed by Chen Li, Accredited Hand Therapist

About Tennis Elbow

What is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that involves inflammation and overuse in the common extensor muscles of the elbow, particularly the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon.

What causes tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow is caused by overuse from gripping tools, constant forearm rotation during work or sport, or general overuse at home or work. Overuse also causes a muscle imbalance between supinator, pronator, tricep and bicep muscles, and irritation of the radial nerve.

Where does tennis elbow hurt?

You will experience pain on the outer side of your forearm near the elbow. The pain may also radiate down your forearm to your wrist and fingers.

What does tennis elbow feel like?

Lateral Epicondylitis can feel like a sharp pain or dull ache with gripping, twisting or holding onto objects. If the radial nerve is also irritated, you may also experience burning pain, pins and needles or numbness on the outer side of your forearm and to your fingers.

How do you get tennis elbow?

You can get it from overuse at work, home or during sport. It often occurs from repetitive gripping, forearm rotation, twisting and straightening the elbow.

Recovery And Duration

How long does tennis elbow take to heal?

With early treatment, lateral epicondylitis usually heals in 8-12 weeks. If you have a full tear in the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon or don’t seek treatment, it will take longer than 3 months to heal.

Can I still work with tennis elbow?

You can still work with tennis elbow. To manage elbow pain during work, you may benefit from wearing a brace or tape. You may also need to modify some work duties temporarily.

When should I see a hand therapist?

You should see a hand therapist when you start to experience elbow pain. Early treatment will prevent lateral epicondylitis from developing into a chronic condition, which will take longer to recover from.

Is tennis elbow permanent?

No, it is treatable with various types of treatment. If elbow overuse injury is treated early, it leads to a better outcome and faster recovery.

Treatment & Relief

How is tennis elbow treated?

Treatment begins with examination of your elbow and wrist movements that are causing pain. Exercises prescribed by your hand therapist will strengthen weak muscles contributing to lateral epicondylitis. You may also need to wear an elbow brace, wrist splint or sports tape. Activity modification, rest and ice may also be part of your rehab.

What can I do at home for tennis elbow?

Avoid activities that worsen elbow pain, ice as required and perform home exercise programs prescribed by your hand therapist.

Should I use heat or ice for tennis elbow?

If the pain is acute or just started, you can apply ice for 20 minutes every 3 hours. If the pain has been persisting for more than a few weeks, heat can be more effective.

How should I sleep if I have tennis elbow?

If you have elbow pain at night, you can sleep with an elbow brace and or wrist splint. If the pain is affecting your sleep, you may also consider taking pain medications or anti-inflammatories. Speak to your GP or specialist before taking any anti-inflammatories.

Can massage help with tennis elbow?

Massage can provide temporary pain relief. Optimal elbow overuse injury treatment includes a period of bracing or strapping, strengthening exercises, massage, rest and activity modification.

Bracing, Strapping & Supports

How do you strap or tape a tennis elbow?

Tape can be applied from your elbow to the wrist crease, on the outer side of your forearm. If you need help, our custom splinting service offers a bespoke solution to provide maximum support to an injured area while remaining lightweight and breathable.

How should I wear a tennis elbow brace?

A brace is placed across the extensor muscle belly of your elbow. If you experience elbow pain with wrist movement, a custom wrist splint can be made to also support your wrist, along with a measured elbow brace to fit.

Should I wear my tennis elbow brace at night

This depends on the intensity of your pain and if you have pain at night. Your hand therapist will discuss when to wear the brace with you.

Common Myths About Tennis Elbow

Causes

Tennis elbow only happens to tennis players: Not true, lateral epicondylitis can also occur in any athletes who perform repetitive forearm rotation, such as badminton and squash players. It can also occur in rowers or paddlers due to constant gripping in elbow pronation.
It is always caused by playing sports: No, elbow overuse injuries can also occur in manual workers or from overuse of household tasks that involve gripping and lifting.
It only occurs in older adults: This condition can occur in younger adults, as well as older adults. However, older adults are more likely to get tears in the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon and take longer to heal.

Treatment

You’ll need surgery to fix tennis elbow: Most elbow overuse injuries can be managed without surgery. There is evidence from sources like Europe PMC supports the effectiveness of various treatments, such as exercises, bracing, and taping, in improving lateral epicondylitis pain.
Bracing alone can fix tennis elbow: Bracing alone isn’t the most effective management for alleviating elbow pain. It also needs to include exercises to strengthen weak muscles and release tight muscles that move the elbow.
Anti-inflammatory medication will cure tennis elbow: Relying on anti-inflammatories alone won’t properly cure lateral epicondylitis, as it doesn’t address muscle weakness or radial nerve irritation. Anti-inflammatories can be used in addition to bracing and exercises for effective non-surgical management of pain.

Recovery

Rest will completely heal my elbow injury: Rest may provide temporary pain relief, but it won’t completely heal elbow overuse injuries.
This condition goes away quickly on its own: No, it doesn’t quickly go away on its own without the right rehab program.
Once you’ve had tennis elbow, it will keep coming back: With the right treatment and early intervention, elbow overuse injuries shouldn’t recur.

Still have questions?

Get your tailored tennis elbow treatment plan by calling 1300 33 HAND or book a consultation!

About The Author

Chen Li is an Accredited Hand Therapist based in Sydney’s North Shore, with over 10 years of experience in assessing and treating conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow.

She has extensive expertise, offering effective and conservative hand therapy treatment while supporting patients through post-surgical rehabilitation.

Tennis Elbow FAQs

Expert Answers from Certified Hand Therapist Chen Li

Table of Contents

About Tennis Elbow

What is tennis elbow?

What causes tennis elbow?

Where does tennis elbow hurt?

What does tennis elbow feel like?

How do you get tennis elbow?

Recovery And Duration

How long does tennis elbow take to heal?

Can I still work with tennis elbow?

When should I see a hand therapist?

Is tennis elbow permanent?

Treatment & Relief

How is tennis elbow treated?

What can I do at home for tennis elbow?

Should I use heat or ice for tennis elbow?

How should I sleep if I have tennis elbow?

Can massage help with tennis elbow?

Bracing, Strapping & Supports

How do you strap or tape a tennis elbow?

How should I wear a tennis elbow brace?

Should I wear my tennis elbow brace at night

Common Myths About Tennis Elbow

Causes

Treatment

Recovery

Still have questions?

About The Author