Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain on the outer part of the elbow where the forearm tendons attach. It develops when these tendons become irritated or inflamed due to repetitive stress, often from repeated gripping, lifting, or wrist extension movements. Despite the name, it doesn’t only affect tennis players—it can occur in anyone who performs repetitive arm or wrist activities.
The condition typically results from small tears in the tendon fibers over time, leading to pain and tenderness that may worsen with everyday motions like shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or lifting objects. It is considered an overuse injury, meaning it builds gradually rather than occurring from a single sudden event.
