Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow.
It affects the tendons of the elbow which connect the muscles for the forearm to the upper arm bone. It often occurs after strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, near the elbow joint.
Symptoms include pain, weakness or stiffness:
- On the outside of your upper forearm, just below the bend of your elbow
- When lifting or bending your arm
- When gripping small objects, such as a pen
- When twisting your forearm, such as turning a door handle or opening a jar
- You may also find it difficult to fully extend your arm.
Golfers elbow (medial epicondylitis) is very similar to Tennis elbow. Pain is located where the tendons of your forearm muscles attached to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. Sometimes the pain can spread to your forearm and wrist.