Going home after your visit
Tennis elbow — advice for adults
What tennis elbow is, how to ease it, and when to get more help.
You have tennis elbow — pain on the outer side of the elbow from overuse of the forearm tendons. It is common and not serious, and usually settles on its own, though it can take several months to get better.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Get same-day help if any of these happen
These are not tennis elbow — a hot swollen joint can be an infection, and new nerve symptoms need assessing.
- The elbow becomes hot, red and swollen, and you feel feverish or unwell
- New numbness, tingling or weakness in your hand or fingers
- Elbow pain that started after a fall or injury, rather than coming on gradually
- The elbow locks, or gives way when you use it
See your GP if any of these happen
Tennis elbow itself is not an emergency. These need reviewing, but not urgently.
- No improvement at all after several months of the advice below
- The pain is stopping you working or sleeping
- The pain is spreading up the arm or into the shoulder
- You want to discuss physiotherapy, a support strap, or an injection
Tennis elbow usually settles with time and the exercises below, but it can take 6 to 12 months.
Helping it settle
- Rest from things that bring on the pain, such as gripping and repeated wrist movements, but keep the arm gently moving.
- An elbow clasp or brace can take the strain off the tendon.
- Do gentle forearm stretches and strengthening as the pain settles — these matter most.
- Put an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on it after activity.
- Use anti-inflammatory tablets or gels for a short time if you can take them.
- If you use ibuprofen gel, keep away from flames and do not smoke — it can catch fire.
What to expect
These are typical of tennis elbow and not a sign that something is wrong:
Pain on the outer elbowWorse when gripping or liftingPain spreading to the forearmSlow improvement over months
Most people get better with these measures. See your GP or a physiotherapist if it is not improving after a few weeks.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a severe breathing or circulation problem
ED / urgent service
A warning sign above that needs same-day reassessment
111
Urgent advice when it is not life-threatening, or you are unsure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team / GP
Use the number and follow-up plan in Your care details above