If a sharp ache lights up on the outside of your elbow every time you lift a kettle, turn a key, open a jar or shake hands, you are not imagining it. Many people who walk into our Viman Nagar clinic are surprised that such a small spot can make ordinary days feel so hard.
The reassuring part is that these are common, well understood problems, and most of them quieten down with patience and a few sensible changes. Let me explain in plain terms what is going on at your elbow and what you can do about it.
What tennis elbow and golfer's elbow actually are
Both are overuse problems of the tendons that attach around the elbow. Tennis elbow (the doctor's word is lateral epicondylitis) affects the tendons on the outer side, the ones that straighten your wrist and fingers. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the tendons on the inner side, the ones that bend your wrist and help you grip. Repeated gripping and wrist movement slowly irritate these tendons where they anchor to the bone, and that is what hurts.
You do not need to touch a racquet or a golf club to get either one. We see it in people who type all day, work long hours on a mouse, ride a two-wheeler through New Airport Road traffic with a firm grip on the throttle, carry heavy shopping up to a flat in Kharadi, use screwdrivers and spanners, cook and chop for a full household, or lift a growing child again and again. Any activity that grips and twists the wrist often enough can set it off.
How to tell the two apart
| Feature | Tennis elbow | Golfer's elbow |
|---|---|---|
| Where it hurts | Outer side of the elbow | Inner side of the elbow |
| Worse when you | Lift with the palm down, straighten the wrist, grip firmly | Bend the wrist, grip firmly, twist inward |
| Everyday triggers | Mouse work, lifting a kettle, backhand or wrist actions | Screwdrivers, carrying bags, repeated pulling or gripping |
| Common feeling | Weak, painful grip and a tender outer point | Tender inner point, sometimes tingling toward the fingers |
Common symptoms to look out for
- A dull ache or sharp catch at the outer or inner elbow that builds up over days and weeks
- Pain that spreads a little into the forearm
- A weak or unreliable grip, so cups, bags or door handles slip or feel hard to hold
- Tenderness when you press on the exact bony point
- Discomfort that eases with rest but returns when you go back to the same task
How a doctor makes the diagnosis
In most cases this is a clinical diagnosis, which means we can usually tell from your story and a simple examination, without any big tests. We ask what you do at work and at home, press gently over the tender point, and check whether pain comes on when you move the wrist against light resistance. Those few movements often point clearly to tennis or golfer's elbow.
Scans are not needed for a typical case. Sometimes we suggest imaging, not to confirm the elbow strain but to rule out other reasons for the pain, such as a nerve being pinched or a joint problem. Your treating doctor will decide if that step is worth it for you.
What usually helps it settle
I will be honest with you. There is no instant fix and no single injection or tablet that makes it vanish overnight. These tendons take time to calm and time to rebuild. The upside is that with the right approach most people improve steadily over weeks, sometimes a few months, and get back to normal use.
- Relative rest, not complete rest. Step back from the exact action that hurts, but keep the arm gently moving so it does not stiffen
- Change how you do the task. Adjust your desk, chair and mouse, hold tools with a lighter grip, take short breaks, and share heavy loads between both hands
- Gentle stretches and, once the sharp pain settles, gradual strengthening of the forearm, built up slowly under guidance
- Simple comfort measures such as a cold pack after a flare or warmth before activity, and a forearm strap that some people find eases the pull on the tendon
- Give it a real chance. Skipping back to the old routine too soon is the most common reason the pain keeps returning
If the pain is stubborn and does not respond to these measures, the doctor can talk through further options at review. A small number of persistent cases need more, and in the rare situation where a procedure is considered, the evaluation and follow-up happen at our Viman Nagar clinic while the procedure itself is arranged with our accredited partner hospitals. That conversation is best had face to face once we have seen how your elbow responds.
When to see a doctor
It is worth getting your elbow looked at rather than waiting it out if any of the following are true.
- The pain is not improving after a few weeks of rest and activity changes
- It wakes you at night or is getting steadily worse
- You notice numbness, tingling or clear weakness in the hand or fingers
- The elbow locks, catches or gives way
- The pain started after a fall or a direct injury, especially with swelling or a change in shape, which needs prompt assessment at a hospital
An early review helps us confirm what it is, rule out other causes, and set you on the right plan before habits make it worse. There is no need to struggle on quietly.
If your elbow pain is holding you back, come and get it checked. I am Dr. Girishchandra Bartakke, orthopaedic surgeon at Prudent International Health Clinic in Sakore Nagar, Viman Nagar, on New Airport Road. We are open all 7 days from 9 AM to 9 PM with no lunch-hour closure, and walk-ins are welcome. To book a visit, call or message us on +91 70287 22200. For what a consultation will cost, call the clinic on +91 70287 22200 for current pricing.
