Which Doctor Treats Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer side of your elbow that worsens with gripping, lifting, or straightening your wrist. Despite its name, tennis elbow isn't limited to tennis players. Any repetitive gripping activity from painting or typing can cause this common overuse injury. The inflammation of the tendons attaching to the lateral epicondyle creates pain with certain movements. Knowing what kind of doctor should I see for tennis elbow helps you get prompt treatment to prevent chronic problems.

Start with your primary care physician who can evaluate your symptoms and recommend initial conservative treatment. A sports medicine physician specializes in these overuse injuries and can provide targeted treatment for quick recovery. Physical therapy is a key component of treatment for most cases, and a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist will design a program to strengthen your forearm and improve technique. If conservative treatment fails after 6-12 weeks or you have severe pain limiting function, an orthopedic surgeon can assess whether advanced options like injections or surgery are appropriate.

The good news is that most tennis elbow cases improve with conservative care including rest from the offending activity, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, proper technique modification, and progressive strengthening exercises. Using proper equipment and ergonomics prevents re-injury. If your elbow pain persists beyond 2 weeks despite rest, professional evaluation can accelerate your recovery.