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Published on: 4/28/2025

Where Is the Pain Typically Located in Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow pain typically occurs on the outer part of the elbow, where muscles and tendons attach near a bony bump called the lateral epicondyle. The discomfort may also extend down the forearm during hand or wrist movement.

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Explanation

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, causes pain on the outside of the elbow where there's a small bony bump called the lateral epicondyle. Pain typically occurs when you overuse the muscles and tendons that help extend your wrist and fingers — common in tennis or during repetitive work tasks. When strained, the pain often begins at the lateral epicondyle and can radiate down the forearm. Everyday activities like shaking hands, lifting objects, or turning doorknobs may worsen the pain. Gripping objects can trigger discomfort or a burning sensation along the forearm. Since this condition results from repetitive motion, treatment usually involves resting the elbow and applying ice, along with other remedies your doctor may recommend.

(References)

  • Foley AE. Tennis elbow. Am Fam Physician. 1993 Aug;48(2):281-8. PMID: 8342481.

  • Buchanan BK, Varacallo MA. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow). 2023 Aug 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 28613744.

  • Kheiran A, Pandey A, Pandey R. Common tendinopathies around the elbow; what does current evidence say? J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2021 May 21;19:216-223. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2021.05.021. PMID: 34150494; PMCID: PMC8190485.

  • Vaquero-Picado A, Barco R, Antuña SA. Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. EFORT Open Rev. 2017 Mar 13;1(11):391-397. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.000049. PMID: 28461918; PMCID: PMC5367546.

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