Tennis elbow is one of the common names given to inflammation around the outside of the elbow. It is also called archer’s elbow or shooter’s elbow. The same inflammation to the inside is often called golfer’s elbow.

At the elbow joint, several bones are connected to several muscles to give you the ability to move your arm and fingers. The lateral epicondyle is the small bone area to the outside of the joint and bottom of the upper arm bone to which a tendon attaches which runs down to the forearm muscles. This tendon moves as the forearm muscles are flexed up or around.

Repeated small use or one-off heavy use of these muscles may overwork the tendon and as it tears some fibres, it will become inflamed, usually just where it joins the elbow. The lateral epicondyle inflammation is what we usually call tennis elbow.

Heavy lifting without preparation or training could cause the condition. More frequently people find that repeated small lifts and twists of the arm result in the pain. People with jobs such as plumbing for example will be putting strain on the tendon every day. A similar effect is produced by those playing racquet sports, hence the everyday name.

The condition involves inflammation and possibly swelling on the outside of and just below the elbow. There may be pain in flexing the elbow or in using the forearm. It may be painful or impossible to hold the forearm out. Even light gripping movements may be too painful as these also use the tendon.

The inflammation may spread to the bursa in the elbow resulting in less lubrication and some secondary inflammation.

The condition affects both men and women equally and usually those over 30. There is no evidence that it affects the dominant hand particularly. If you have pain that sounds similar to this then consulting with your Orthopedic Doctor would prove helpful.