Tennis Elbow, medically known as Lateral Epicondylitis, is one of the most common causes of outer elbow pain in adults. This condition develops when the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle — the bony bump on the outside of the elbow — become strained or inflamed due to repetitive wrist and forearm movements.
Despite its name, tennis elbows are not limited to athletes. It frequently affects individuals in occupations or hobbies that involve repeated gripping, twisting, or lifting — such as construction, plumbing, carpentry, painting, mechanics, or office work.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we help patients across Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas regain comfort and restore function through accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment, and long-term prevention strategies.
Your forearm muscles connect to the elbow via strong tendons that help stabilize the wrist and allow you to extend your hand. Repetitive stress or overuse of these muscles can cause microscopic tears in the tendon fibers near their attachment site.
Over time, these micro tears lead to inflammation, tissue degeneration, and chronic pain that worsens with continued activity.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
- Repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting (e.g., tools, weights, or racquets)
- Poor technique in sports or work-related tasks
- Weak shoulder or wrist stabilizers
- Inadequate warm-up before physical activity
- Direct trauma or repetitive stress to the outer elbow
- Sudden increase in workload or exercise intensity
Tennis Elbow symptoms often develop gradually but can become persistent without early care.
Typical signs include:
- Burning or aching pain on the outer elbow
- Tenderness directly over the bony lateral epicondyle
- Pain that radiates down the forearm into the wrist
- Weak grip strength or fatigue with gripping
- Stiffness or soreness after repetitive use
- Pain during simple tasks like turning a doorknob, lifting a cup, or shaking hands
Symptoms typically worsen with activity and may temporarily improve with rest — only to return when motion resumes.
Accurate diagnosis is essential to distinguish Tennis Elbow from similar conditions such as radial tunnel syndrome, elbow arthritis, or nerve compression.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, Dr. Robert L. Burke, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, conducts a thorough evaluation that may include:
- Physical examination: Checking tenderness, range of motion, and strength.
- Provocative tests: Pain with resisted wrist extension or gripping confirms tendon involvement.
Imaging:
- X-rays to rule out arthritis or bone abnormalities.
- Ultrasound or MRI to detect tendon inflammation or partial tears.
This comprehensive assessment ensures the most effective treatment plan for your specific needs.
Non-Surgical Treatments
The majority of Tennis Elbow cases respond well to conservative treatment methods.
Dr. Burke designs a plan that focuses on reducing pain and inflammation while restoring strength and flexibility.
Treatment options may include:
- Rest and activity modification: Limiting motions that strain the tendon.
- Ice therapy and anti-inflammatory medication: To manage pain and swelling.
- Counterforce bracing: Reduces tension on the tendon during activity.
- Ergonomic guidance: Correcting posture and hand positioning during work or sport to prevent recurrence.
- Focused on eccentric strengthening, stretching, and soft tissue mobilization.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma injections to accelerate tendon healing.
Surgical Treatments
If symptoms persist after six to twelve months of consistent conservative care, Dr. Burke may recommend minimally invasive tendon debridement or release surgery.
This procedure removes damaged tendon tissue and stimulates healing in the surrounding healthy fibers.
Recovery and Prevention
Recovery:
- Non-surgical recovery typically takes 6–8 weeks with structured therapy.
- Surgical recovery may take 3–6 months, depending on tendon healing and physical therapy progress.
Prevention tips:
- Warm up before repetitive tasks or workouts.
- Strengthen shoulder, wrist, and forearm muscles.
- Maintain proper ergonomics during work or exercise.
- Avoid sudden increases in activity intensity.
With proper care, most patients achieve lasting relief and a full return to activity.
Contact Dr. Burke Orthopedics if you experience:
- Persistent pain lasting more than two weeks.
- Pain that limits work or sports performance.
- Weakness or loss of grip strength.
Early evaluation prevents chronic tendon degeneration and promotes faster recovery.
Serving Our Community
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we are proud to serve patients throughout Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas.
Our mission is to restore your strength and function through compassionate orthopedic care backed by modern techniques and decades of surgical experience.
