Tennis Elbow
You don’t have to play tennis to get tennis elbow. If the outside of your elbow aches every time you grip something, lift a coffee cup, or shake hands, you might be dealing with this common (and very fixable) condition. The team at OrthoArkansas helps patients across Little Rock get back to pain-free movement every day.
What Does Tennis Elbow Feel Like?
Tennis elbow happens when the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow get irritated from overuse. The pain usually creeps in slowly and can stick around for weeks if you don’t give it the right attention.
You might be dealing with tennis elbow if you notice:
- A burning or aching pain on the outside of your elbow
- Pain that gets worse when you grip, twist, or lift
- A weak grip — dropping things, struggling to open jars
- Pain that travels down your forearm
- Tenderness when you press on the bony bump on the outside of your elbow
Sound familiar? The best next step is letting a specialist take a look — they can confirm what’s going on and put you on the right path to feeling better. Schedule a visit at OrthoArkansas and we’ll get you sorted.
Why Does It Happen?
Despite the name, most patients with tennis elbow have never picked up a racket. Anything that involves repeated gripping or twisting of the forearm can trigger it. Common causes include:
- Repetitive work tasks (painting, plumbing, carpentry, typing)
- Sports like tennis, racquetball, or pickleball
- Weightlifting with poor form
- Heavy gardening or yard work
- New hobbies that involve lots of gripping (knitting, gaming controllers, instruments)
- Age (it’s most common between 30 and 50)
The good news? Once we know what’s contributing to your pain, we can help you fix it — and prevent it from coming back.
What Happens at Your Visit?
Every elbow is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. When you come in, our hand, wrist, and elbow specialists will:
- Listen to your story and what made the pain start
- Test your grip strength and range of motion
- Check exactly where it hurts
- Talk through the options that make sense for your situation
- Build a recovery plan together — one that works with your job, hobbies, and goals
The sooner you come in, the sooner we can get you back to gripping, lifting, and living comfortably.
Easy Stretches You Can Try Today
While you wait for your appointment, here are three gentle stretches that often help take the edge off. Stop if anything causes sharp pain.
- Wrist flexor stretch: Extend your arm in front of you, palm up. Use your other hand to gently pull your fingers down and back toward your body. Hold 30 seconds, switch arms.
- Wrist extensor stretch: Extend your arm in front of you, palm down. Use your other hand to gently press your fingers down. Hold 30 seconds, switch arms.
- Towel twist: Hold a small towel with both hands and gently twist it in opposite directions, like wringing out water. Repeat 10 times.
If these don’t help within a couple of weeks, it’s time to get a proper look. Schedule a visit — we’ll figure out what’s actually going on.
Tennis Elbow Braces and Support
A simple counter-force brace (the strap that wraps around your upper forearm) can take pressure off the irritated tendon while you heal. They’re inexpensive and easy to find at most pharmacies, but if you’re not sure if you’re wearing it right — or if it’s helping — your specialist can check at your visit.
On the Mend
Most people start feeling real improvement within a few weeks of consistent care. To keep tennis elbow from coming back:
- Take breaks during repetitive tasks
- Warm up your wrists and forearms before gripping activities
- Use proper form when lifting or playing sports
- Strengthen your forearms with light, targeted exercises
- Don’t ignore early twinges — rest at the first sign of soreness
Need help building a routine that sticks? Our team is here for it.
Ready to Get Help?
You don’t have to push through elbow pain. Come see us if:
- The pain has been hanging around for more than two weeks
- You’re having trouble doing daily tasks like holding a cup or shaking hands
- The pain is sharp or radiating
- Rest and stretches haven’t made a difference
- Your grip is getting noticeably weaker
Our hand, wrist, and elbow specialists are here to listen, take a real look at what’s going on, and walk you through your options. Schedule a visit today — we’ll take it from there.
Elbow Physicians
Find a Clinic Near You
We have strategically placed our clinics to provide top-quality orthopedic care close to home.
Little Rock - Midtown
800 Fair Park Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72204
Monday – Friday : 8 AM – 5 PM
North Little Rock
3480 Landers Road North Little Rock, AR 72117
Monday – Friday : 8 AM – 5 PM
Heber Springs
301 Southridge Blvd, Suite A Heber Springs, AR 72543
Monday – Friday : 8 AM – 5 PM
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Elbow
Most cases improve within a few weeks to a few months with the right care — rest, stretching, a brace, and avoiding the activity that started it. The sooner you treat it, the faster you’ll recover. If it’s been hanging around longer than expected, come in and let us help.
Not necessarily — but you may need to modify what you’re doing for a while. Some patients keep working with the help of a brace and adjusted technique. Your specialist will help you figure out the right balance between rest and staying active.
Surgery is rare for tennis elbow. The vast majority of patients get better with conservative care like physical therapy, bracing, and home exercises. If it does come up, we’ll walk you through every option first.
They’re cousins, not twins. Tennis elbow affects the outside of your elbow (the side closer to your thumb when your palm faces up). Golfer’s elbow affects the inside. The treatments are similar, but a specialist can tell you exactly which one you have — and it’s worth knowing.
Yes, especially if you go back to the same activity without changing anything. Once we identify what triggered it, we’ll help you build habits and technique adjustments that protect your elbow long-term.