Make your assessment practical
Think about your hands-on tasks.
Bring a list of the tasks that trigger your pain – such as using a drill, carrying shopping, typing or gardening – and how often you do them. If you use a brace, bring it along.
About elbow pain
Lateral elbow pain (tennis elbow) affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow that help extend the wrist and grip. Pain on the inside of the elbow is sometimes called golfer’s elbow. Both commonly build up gradually with repeated gripping or lifting, or after a change in workload, and can make it painful to shake hands, lift a kettle or hold tools.
Elbow pain can also come from the joint, nerves or the neck, so an assessment helps work out what may be contributing.
What happens at your appointment
We discuss your history, work and activities, then assess elbow, wrist, shoulder and neck movement, grip strength and the movements that bring on your pain. If findings suggest something that needs medical review or imaging, we will explain why and help you arrange it with your GP.
Care options we may discuss
- Progressive strengthening exercises for the forearm, wrist and shoulder.
- Advice on modifying aggravating tasks, grip and tool use at work or home.
- Bracing or taping where appropriate.
- Hands-on treatment where appropriate and agreed.
- Regular reviews and plan adjustments.
Tendon-related elbow pain often improves gradually over weeks to months. Results vary between people.
When to seek medical help first
See a doctor promptly if your elbow is hot, red and swollen, you have a fever, you cannot bend or straighten it after a fall, or you have numbness or weakness in the hand.
Physiotherapy is not an emergency service. Call 000 or go to an emergency department for a serious injury, chest pain, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you feel very unwell.
Your physiotherapy appointment.
See Jency Donda, physiotherapist, at our Elizabeth Park clinic – open Mondays 9:00am–5:00pm. Jency speaks English, Gujarati and Hindi. No referral is needed for a private appointment. For a GP care plan, NDIS, DVA, Support at Home, WorkCover or CTP appointment, check the relevant referral and plan information and our fees and rebates page before booking, or contact our team.
Helpful questions.
Do I have to play tennis to get tennis elbow?
No. Most people with tennis elbow develop it from work, home or hobby tasks that involve repeated gripping or lifting.
Should I stop using my arm?
Complete rest is not usually needed. Your physiotherapist can help you adjust the load on your elbow while staying active.
Is my elbow pain a work injury?
If it is related to your work, you may be able to make a WorkCover claim. See WorkCover physiotherapy.
More information: healthdirect: tennis elbow. This page is general information and is not a substitute for individual advice.
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