Tennis Elbow & Golfer's Elbow Treatment in Kolkata

Overview

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow, and golfer's elbow on the inside. Despite the names, most people who get them do not play tennis or golf: they come from repeated gripping, lifting, typing or tool use that overloads the tendons of the forearm. Most people improve without surgery with the right exercises and changes to how they use the arm. Every first visit starts with an assessment by Dr. Partha Sarathi Neogi.

How Dr. Neogi assesses elbow pain

1. Your history: which side of the elbow hurts, your work, sport, computer and phone use, and which tasks bring the pain on.
2. Examination of the elbow, wrist and grip strength, and tests that load the forearm tendons.
3. Checks of the neck and nerves, since neck problems and nerve irritation can cause similar pain.
4. A plain-language explanation and a plan, including exercises and changes at work or home.

Why elbow tendon pain happens, and how many sessions you may need

The muscles that grip and lift with the wrist attach by tendons to the bony points on the outside (tennis elbow) and inside (golfer's elbow) of the elbow. When these tendons are loaded more than they can handle, often by repeated gripping or a sudden increase in a task, they become painful and less able to take load. It is a tendon problem rather than ongoing inflammation, which is why rest alone often does not fix it.

Care focuses on gradually loading the tendon with specific exercises, adjusting the tasks that flare it and, where it helps, hands-on treatment or dry needling for pain. A forearm strap may help some people during heavy tasks. Recovery often takes weeks to a few months; if it does not settle, your doctor may discuss other options such as injections. How many sessions you need depends on how long you have had it and how you respond, and progress is reviewed at each visit.

Who we often see

• Pain on the outside of the elbow when gripping or lifting
• Pain on the inside of the elbow (golfer's elbow)
• Elbow pain from computer, mouse or phone use
• Elbow pain in people who do manual work or use tools
• Elbow pain in racquet sports, cricket, golf or gym training
• Elbow pain that has lasted months or keeps coming back

What you can do at home

• Keep using the arm within comfort; complete rest usually slows recovery.
• Lift with your palm facing up and keep objects close to your body.
• Take short breaks during repetitive gripping, typing or tool use.
• Do your exercises regularly; mild discomfort that settles within a day is acceptable.
• For pain medicine, follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.

Frequently Asked Questions