Pain on the outer or inner side of your elbow that flares with gripping, lifting or twisting? Epicondylitis is the most common cause of elbow pain in adults — and despite the “tennis elbow” nickname, most patients have never held a racquet: the mouse, the screwdriver and shopping bags are the modern culprits.
What is epicondylitis?
It is the suffering of the tendons attaching to the bony prominences of the elbow: lateral epicondylitis (“tennis elbow”) affects the extensor tendons — pain on the outside; medial epicondylitis (“golfer’s elbow”) affects the flexors — pain on the inside. The process is a tendinopathy: overload degeneration, not pure inflammation.
Common symptoms
Pinpoint pain on the elbow bone, worse with gripping, lifting palm-down, twisting (jars, screwdrivers), weaker grip and pain running along the forearm.
Common causes
Repetitive gripping and twisting (desk work, manual trades, sport), sudden increases in workload, unsuitable technique or equipment, forearm muscles unprepared for the load — and an associated neck component (C6–C7 root irritation can sustain elbow pain).
Can it be treated without surgery?
Yes — the standard is a progressive tendon-loading programme (isometrics → eccentrics → function), with high success rates. Repeated corticosteroid injections give short-term relief but poorer long-term results; surgery is reserved for rare cases refractory to 6–12 months of correct treatment.
How we treat epicondylitis at Medicine Park
We assess the elbow, forearm, shoulder and cervical spine (they often coexist), then build your loading programme, adding manual therapy, dry needling for the forearm muscles and ergonomic adjustments for your desk or tools. You keep working — intelligently dosed.
How long does recovery take?
Recent cases: 6–8 weeks. Chronic ones: 3 months or more — tendons demand consistency, and progress is steady and measurable.
When to seek help
If elbow pain returns with every working day for more than two weeks, do not let it become chronic. Your first assessment at Medicine Park is free.
