By Krupa Parikh, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist at RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center.
Have you ever felt pain on joint on the outer side of your elbow and wondered what that could possibly be? You might have Lateral Epicondylitis (commonly referred to as “Tennis Elbow”) and no, you don’t need to play tennis or other racket sports to have this diagnosis.
Lateral Epicondylitis is musculoskeletal overuse injury, usually resulting from repeated gripping, and repeated movements of wrist extension, radial deviation and/or forearm supination. People usually report an insidious onset in the absence of trauma or triggering event with pain localized at and around the lateral epicondyle or radiating either down the forearm or posterior upper arm. Additionally, people tend to report weakness/tightness in the arm and decreased grip strength.
Who does it affect?
Tennis elbow affects both men and women equally and is more common in individuals over the age of 40. Factors such as smoking and obesity can increase the likelihood of someone having the condition.
How is it diagnosed?
Lateral epicondylitis requires a clinical diagnosis with imaging (x-rays) taken to rule out fractures/dislocation. The clinician may palpate along the lateral epicondyle to feel for tenderness/pain with history on occupational and lifestyle.
How can your physical/occupational therapist help?
A referral by a doctor is required for occupational or physical therapy. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the therapist may recommend either a wrist brace and/or forearm counterforce brace to rest the muscles causing inflammation/pain.
The therapist will work with you to decrease pain symptoms, improve your strength and help improve your ability to perform activities of daily living and instrumental daily living. This is performed by individualized stretching and strengthening exercises which progress over time.
Additionally, your therapist can work with you to modify your school or work environment exploring adaptive devices, educate you on body mechanics principles and fatigue management techniques.
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The experienced and compassionate staff at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Rehabilitation Centers, with locations in West Orange and Livingston, offers adults and children the specialized care they need to resume an active life after surgery, injury or illness. Staff is committed to providing patients with the most advanced services in a safe, caring and soothing environment. For high-risk patients who are unable to visit in person, telehealth is an option. Patients do not need a prescription for physical therapy services.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 973-322-7500.
Krupa Parikh, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist at RWJBarnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center, treats the orthopedic and neurological population. She has been a therapist for five years with experience in nursing home and outpatient.
References
- Buchanan BK, Varacallo MA. Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) [Updated 2023 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431092
- Wolf , J.M( 2023). Lateral Epicondylitis. The New England Journal of Medicine. 388(25) DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp2216734
- Karbowiak, M ( 2023). Management of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). thebmj. 381. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-072574