Elbow Tendonitis

Is persistent elbow pain making everyday activities more difficult than they should be?

Perhaps you're finding it uncomfortable to lift a shopping bag, open a jar or grip something firmly. Even simple tasks around the house can become surprisingly painful.

If you've been diagnosed with elbow tendonitis, you'll know how frustrating it can be when your elbow continues to hurt, particularly when it interferes with your work, sleep or favourite activities.

The good news is that many cases improve without surgery. Understanding what's causing the pain, which activities may be aggravating it and what treatment options are available can help you take the right steps towards recovery.

What Is Elbow Tendonitis?

Elbow tendonitis occurs when one or more of the tendons surrounding your elbow become irritated or inflamed.

Tendons are strong bands of connective tissue that connect muscles to bones, allowing you to bend, straighten and rotate your arm, as well as control movements of your wrist and fingers.

When these tendons are repeatedly subjected to excessive strain, they can become painful and increasingly sensitive to everyday activities.

However, there's an important distinction worth understanding.

Although tendonitis refers to inflammation, longer-standing elbow pain isn't always caused by inflammation alone.

Healthcare professionals often use the broader term elbow tendinopathy, which includes changes in tendon structure and its ability to tolerate physical loading.

This explains why simply reducing inflammation may not always resolve the problem. Restoring strength and gradually improving the tendon's ability to handle everyday movements can be equally important. [1]

What Are the Different Types of Elbow Tendonitis?

Two of the most common forms of elbow tendonitis are tennis elbow and golfer's elbow.

Although they share similar causes, they affect different tendon attachments around the elbow.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

• Tennis elbow affects the tendons attached to the outside of the elbow.
• It's commonly associated with repetitive gripping, lifting and wrist movements.
• You may notice pain when shaking hands, lifting a kettle or turning a doorknob.
• Despite its name, you certainly don't need to play tennis to develop this condition.

>> Learn More About Tennis Elbow and Its Treatment Options →

Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)

• Golfer's elbow affects the tendons attached to the inside of the elbow.
• Pain may become more noticeable when gripping objects, bending your wrist or performing repetitive lifting activities.
• And just like tennis elbow, you don't need to play golf to experience the condition.

>> Learn More About Golfer's Elbow and Its Treatment Options →

Other tendons around the elbow, including the biceps and triceps tendons, can also become injured or irritated. The location of your pain and the movements that aggravate it can provide useful clues about which structures may be affected.

What Are the Symptoms of Elbow Tendonitis?

Symptoms can develop gradually or become noticeable following an unusually strenuous activity.

Common symptoms include:

• Elbow pain and tenderness: Discomfort around the inside, outside or back of the elbow, depending on which tendon is affected.

• Pain when gripping or lifting: Everyday activities such as carrying shopping, opening jars or using tools may become uncomfortable.

• Reduced grip strength: Difficulty holding objects firmly or performing tasks that require sustained gripping.

• Pain extending into the forearm: Aching or discomfort that may travel away from the elbow.

• Stiffness or discomfort: Particularly after periods of inactivity or following repetitive physical activity.

One frustrating aspect of elbow tendonitis is that your arm may feel relatively comfortable at rest, only for the pain to return as soon as you start using it.

What Causes Elbow Tendonitis?

Elbow tendonitis often develops when the physical demands placed on a tendon exceed its ability to tolerate or recover from repeated strain.

Common contributing factors include:

Repetitive Movements

Activities involving repeated gripping, twisting or lifting can place considerable stress on the elbow tendons.

Sports and Exercise

Tennis, golf, weightlifting and other activities involving repetitive arm movements may contribute to tendon irritation, particularly when activity levels increase suddenly.

Manual Work and Household Activities

Gardening, painting, using hand tools and carrying heavy objects can all place repeated strain on the elbow and forearm.

Age-Related Tendon Changes

As we get older, tendons may become less tolerant of unfamiliar or excessive physical demands.

Often, several factors contribute rather than one particular injury.

What Are the Treatment Options for Elbow Tendonitis?

If you're experiencing persistent elbow pain, your first priority is understandably to find some relief.

However, treatment should also consider what's causing the tendon irritation and how to prevent the problem from repeatedly returning.

1. Rest and Activity Modification

Temporarily reducing activities that aggravate your elbow is often a sensible first step.

Avoid heavy lifting, forceful gripping and repetitive movements that consistently increase your pain.

However, prolonged complete rest isn't generally recommended, as it can contribute to stiffness and muscle weakness.

The aim is to reduce excessive strain while maintaining comfortable movement.

2. Heat Therapy

For ongoing elbow stiffness or forearm muscle tension, a warm compress or heat pack applied for 15–20 minutes may help improve comfort.

Heat is generally more suitable for ongoing stiffness rather than a recent injury or significant active swelling, where cold therapy may be more appropriate.

3. Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy can play an important role in restoring normal elbow movement and strength.

During painful flare-ups, strenuous exercises that aggravate the affected tendon may need to be reduced or modified.

As symptoms improve, a gradual rehabilitation program can help strengthen the forearm muscles and improve the tendon's ability to tolerate everyday activities.

Appropriately graded exercises may begin before all discomfort has disappeared, provided they're suited to your condition and don't significantly aggravate symptoms. [2]

4. Medication and Other Treatments

Pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medication may help manage discomfort, although these treatments aren't suitable for everyone.

Elbow braces or support straps may also provide temporary relief during certain activities.

Corticosteroid injections are sometimes considered, but their longer-term benefits can be limited, particularly for tennis elbow. Surgery is rarely required and is generally reserved for selected cases that haven't improved with appropriate conservative treatment. [3]

5. Drug-Free Home Treatment Options

Not everyone wants to rely solely on medication to manage elbow discomfort.

Some people may have existing medical conditions that limit their treatment choices, while others simply prefer a drug-free, non-invasive option.

Depending on the underlying cause of the symptoms, these approaches may be considered alongside appropriate rest, activity modification and rehabilitation.

Managing Elbow Swelling and Associated Pain with OSMO Patch

When elbow discomfort starts interfering with your normal activities, finding a practical way to manage the symptoms becomes an understandable priority.

For people experiencing swelling and associated pain around the elbow, the OSMO Patch offers a drug-free, non-invasive home treatment option designed to help reduce swelling and associated discomfort.

The patch is applied to the affected area before going to bed and works while you sleep.

OSMO Patch may be considered alongside appropriate rest and rehabilitation. However, persistent elbow tendinopathy does not always involve significant swelling, and the patch isn't intended to repair damaged tendons or replace appropriate rehabilitation.

(ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Not suitable for individuals with seafood or shellfish allergies)

Discover How OSMO Patch Works

Watch our short video to learn how OSMO Patch is designed to help reduce swelling and associated pain while you sleep.

How Long Does Elbow Tendonitis Take to Heal?

Recovery times vary depending on which tendon is affected, the severity of the condition and how long you've had symptoms.

Some people begin noticing improvement within several weeks, while more persistent tendon problems may take several months or longer.

It's important to remember that feeling less pain doesn't necessarily mean the tendon has fully recovered.

Gradually restoring strength and returning to normal activities at a manageable pace can help reduce the likelihood of recurring symptoms.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Elbow Tendonitis

Is Elbow Tendonitis the Same as Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is one of the most common forms of elbow tendinopathy, affecting the tendons on the outside of the elbow. However, other tendons around the elbow can also become irritated or injured.

Can Elbow Tendonitis Heal Without Surgery?

Yes. Many cases improve with conservative management, including activity modification, appropriate rehabilitation and pain management.

Should I Exercise with Elbow Tendonitis?

Gentle movement and appropriately graded strengthening exercises can help support recovery. However, activities that significantly aggravate symptoms should be modified until they can be tolerated.

Can Elbow Tendonitis Come Back?

Yes. Symptoms can recur when the affected tendon continues to be subjected to excessive strain. Gradually rebuilding strength and managing repetitive activities may help reduce the risk.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

If your elbow pain persists, worsens or significantly affects your normal activities, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Seek prompt medical assessment if you experience severe pain following an injury, significant swelling, fever, sudden loss of strength or new numbness in your hand or fingers.

Medical References

[1] Healthdirect Australia: Tendinopathy – Symptoms and Treatment. Read Healthdirect's medical guidance

[2] American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS): Therapeutic Exercise Program for Epicondylitis. Read the AAOS rehabilitation guidance

[3] Health New Zealand: Tennis and Golfer's Elbow – Treatment and Recovery. Read Health New Zealand's guidance