Tennis Elbow Pain Treatment in ChennaiOuter elbow pain, grip pain and forearm strain
Pain on the outside of your elbow while gripping, lifting, typing, cooking, using tools or playing sport is often tennis elbow. Most patients recover without surgery when the tendon is diagnosed early and loaded correctly.
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Early, structured care prevents tennis elbow from becoming a chronic tendon problem.
Dr. Soma Sundar S
MBBS, MS (Ortho), DNB, FRCS (UK) certified, FISS, FESS (Germany), FMISS (Switzerland)AO Spine Fellowship (Nottingham, UK), Gold medalist, Advanced Pain Management Specialist, Minimally Invasive Specialist.
Dr. Soma Sundar treats elbow pain, joint pain, sports injuries and spine conditions with a diagnosis-first approach. For tennis elbow, the plan is usually non-surgical first: pain control, tendon rehabilitation, bracing, PRP or shockwave therapy when appropriate.
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HKauvery Hospital, AlwarpetMon – Sat | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PMGet Directions
HShens Hospital, Ashok NagarMon – Sat | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PMGet Directions
Quick Answer: What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, is pain from the tendon on the outer side of the elbow. It is triggered by repeated gripping, lifting, typing, cooking, gym work or racquet sports. Most patients do not need surgery. The right plan usually combines activity modification, physiotherapy and graded tendon strengthening. If pain is stubborn, PRP injection or shockwave therapy may help selected patients.
Tennis Elbow Is Common – and Usually Very Treatable
The painful structure is usually the common extensor tendon, where the forearm muscles attach to the outside of the elbow. When that tendon is overloaded repeatedly, it becomes irritated and painful during gripping or lifting.
The name is misleading. Many patients have never played tennis. Desk work, mouse use, cooking, gym training, tool use and household lifting are common triggers.
Elbow PainRepetitive Strain InjurySports Injuries
The common extensor tendon is the usual pain generator in tennis elbow.
Common Causes and Triggers of Tennis Elbow
A good tennis elbow page should help patients connect the pain to daily load, not just sport.
Mouse and Keyboard Work
Long hours with wrist extension and repeated clicking can overload the forearm tendon.
Kitchen and Household Work
Chopping, stirring, lifting vessels and wringing clothes can repeatedly strain the outer elbow.
Gym Overload
Heavy gripping, curls, rows and sudden training increases can trigger tendon pain.
Tool Use
Screwdrivers, drills, pliers and repetitive lifting are common work-related triggers.
Racquet Sports
Backhand technique, grip size and sudden play volume can overload the tendon.
Poor Recovery
Continuing the same painful load every day keeps the tendon irritated.
Neck or Nerve Overlap
Cervical nerve pain can mimic or add to elbow symptoms and should be checked.
Grip Weakness Cycle
Pain reduces grip strength; weak grip then increases strain during daily work.
Computer and mouse strain
A cause-only visual for desk workers with repeated wrist extension and mouse use.
Kitchen and household load
A cause-only visual for repetitive cooking and home tasks that stress the tendon.
Gym and racquet overload
A cause-only visual for sport, training spikes and grip-heavy exercise.
What Your Elbow Pain Pattern May Suggest
The activity that triggers pain often gives useful clues about the tendon and nearby joints.
Pain on gripping
Classic tennis elbow pattern, especially with cups, bags, handshakes or dumbbells.
Common
Pain with twisting
Opening jars, turning keys and using screwdrivers stress the extensor tendon.
Load related
Forearm ache after work
Repetitive typing, mouse work or tool use can leave an ache into the forearm.
Overuse clue
Night pain or swelling
Persistent swelling, severe night pain or fever needs proper evaluation.
Check early
Numbness or tingling
This may suggest nerve irritation from the neck, elbow or wrist rather than tendon pain alone.
Nerve overlap
Pain after injury
A fall, sudden pop or bruising needs assessment to exclude tear or fracture.
Injury pattern
Elbow Pain Red Flags – Do Not Ignore These
Most tennis elbow is not dangerous. These signs need early medical review.
!
Severe pain after a fall, direct blow, sudden pop or visible deformity.
!
Fever, redness, warmth or rapidly increasing swelling around the elbow.
!
Numbness, tingling, hand weakness or pain spreading from the neck.
When in doubt, get examined
A focused examination can separate tendon pain from joint, nerve, neck or inflammatory causes.
How Tennis Elbow Is Diagnosed
Tennis elbow is often a clinical diagnosis. Imaging is added when symptoms are persistent, severe or not typical.
1
History and activity pattern
Which tasks trigger pain, how long it has lasted, and what treatment has already been tried.
2
Elbow examination
Tenderness, resisted wrist extension, grip strength and range of movement are checked.
3
Rule out mimics
Neck nerve irritation, radial tunnel pain, arthritis and ligament injury may mimic tennis elbow.
4
Ultrasound or MRI when needed
Useful for chronic pain, suspected tear or planning PRP/injection treatment.
The right diagnosis prevents unnecessary injections and missed nerve or neck-related pain.
Specialist in elbow and joint conditions
Why Choose Dr. Soma Sundar?
1
Hundreds of elbow joint pain cases treated: the assessment starts by confirming whether the pain is tendon, joint, nerve or neck-related.
2
Non-surgical-first treatment: physiotherapy, bracing, ergonomic correction and graded tendon loading are prioritised before procedures.
3
Advanced pain management specialist: PRP, shockwave therapy and image-guided options are used only when the diagnosis and stage fit.
4
Minimally invasive specialist: selected chronic cases get precise care without jumping straight to open surgery.
5
Chennai access and continuity: appointments at Alwarpet and Ashok Nagar, with video review available for reports and follow-up.
14+Years Experience
4.9Google Rating
FRCS(UK) Certified
MSGold Medallist
Tennis Elbow Treatment Options in Chennai
Treatment is step-by-step. The goal is not to do more treatment – it is to do the right treatment at the right time.
Step 1
Activity modification, brace and physiotherapy
First-line treatment for most patients.
- Reduce painful gripping temporarily
- Use brace when helpful
- Progressive tendon strengthening
Step 2
PRP Injection
For selected persistent tendon pain not settling with rehab.
- Uses platelet-rich plasma
- Supports tendon healing
- Usually paired with rehab
Step 3
Shockwave therapy or minimally invasive care
For chronic cases after proper assessment.
- Non-invasive tendon stimulation
- Useful in selected chronic cases
- Surgery is rare, not routine
Surgery is uncommon for tennis elbow
Most tennis elbow patients recover without surgery. Surgical release is considered only after months of structured non-surgical treatment has failed and the diagnosis is clear.
Do’s and Don’ts for Tennis Elbow
Small daily changes often decide whether tendon pain settles or keeps returning.
Do
- Reduce painful gripping and heavy lifting temporarily
- Use a brace if advised
- Start graded strengthening after pain settles
- Correct mouse, keyboard and tool ergonomics
- Return to sport gradually
Don’t
- Keep pushing through sharp pain daily
- Do heavy gripping exercises too early
- Repeat steroid injections without a plan
- Ignore numbness, tingling or neck pain
- Delay care if pain affects work or sleep
Tennis Elbow ExercisesTennis Elbow PhysiotherapyElbow Pain Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is pain from the tendon on the outer side of the elbow. It is worse with gripping, lifting, typing, twisting or sports.
No. Computer work, cooking, gym training, tool use and repeated lifting are common causes.
Outer elbow pain, weak grip, pain opening jars, pain lifting bags and forearm ache after repeated use.
Yes. Most patients improve with activity modification, physiotherapy, bracing and graded tendon strengthening.
Many improve in 6 to 12 weeks. Chronic tendon pain can take 3 to 6 months.
If pain lasts more than two weeks, affects work, causes grip weakness, recurs often or follows injury.
Not always. Imaging is useful when symptoms are severe, unclear, chronic or not improving.
PRP can help selected chronic tendon pain and is usually combined with rehabilitation.
Shockwave therapy can help selected chronic cases by stimulating tendon remodeling.
They may reduce pain quickly, but repeated injections can weaken tendon tissue and should be used carefully.
Surgery is uncommon and considered only after months of proper non-surgical care has failed.
Yes. You can share symptoms and reports for a video opinion. Procedures require an in-person visit.
What Patients Say After Elbow Pain Treatment
I had pain while using the mouse and lifting simple things. The diagnosis was explained clearly, and the rehab plan helped me return to work comfortably.
5/5RRameshDesk work elbow pain | Chennai
I was worried I would need surgery. Dr. Soma Sundar advised non-surgical care first, and my grip pain settled steadily.
5/5PPriyaTennis elbow | Alwarpet
My elbow pain had lasted for months. After scan review and PRP discussion, I understood the options and followed a clear plan.
5/5SSureshChronic tendon pain | Ashok Nagar
The advice was practical: what to avoid, which exercises to do and when to return to gym training. Very helpful.
5/5AAnandGym-related elbow pain
Video Consultation for Tennis Elbow
If you are outside Chennai, want a report review, or need guidance before travelling, a video consultation can help you understand the likely cause and next steps.
1Share reports before the call
Ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, prescriptions and previous injection details can be reviewed.
2Practical work and exercise advice
Guidance on activity modification, braces, ergonomics and safe return to loading.
3Treatment pathway guidance
Understand whether physiotherapy, PRP, shockwave therapy or in-person assessment is suitable.
Book Video ConsultationCall Clinic
Dr. Soma Sundar SOrthopaedic, Spine & Pain Specialist Online consultation available
1
Send your elbow pain details and reports
2
Get diagnosis and treatment guidance
3
Receive a clear follow-up plan
Severe injury, fever, swelling, deformity, numbness or hand weakness needs direct hospital evaluation, not only video consultation.
Dr. Soma Sundar S
MBBS, MS (Ortho), DNB, FRCS (UK) certified, FISS, FESS (Germany), FMISS (Switzerland)AO Spine Fellowship (Nottingham, UK), Gold medalist, Advanced Pain Management Specialist, Minimally Invasive Specialist.
A focused consultation can help identify whether your pain is tennis elbow, nerve irritation, joint pain or another cause – and what treatment is suitable.
Outer elbow pain that affects work, sport or daily tasks should not become your normal life. There is usually a clear path forward when the diagnosis is correct.
H
Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet
Mon – Sat | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM | By appointment
Shens Hospital, Ashok Nagar
21/40 Mettupalayam, 11th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600083 | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
