Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow and is clinically known as lateral epicondylitis.

It often happens after overuse or repeated action of the muscles of the forearm, near the elbow joint. You may notice pain on the outside of the elbow, which may travel down the forearm when lifting or bending your arm, gripping small objects, such as a pen or twisting your forearm, such as turning a door handle or opening a jar.

Tennis elbow is usually caused by overusing the muscles attached to your elbow and used to straighten your wrist. If the muscles are strained, tiny tears and inflammation can develop near the bony lump (the lateral epicondyle) on the outside of your elbow. As the name suggests, tennis elbow is sometimes caused by playing tennis, but any activity that puts repeated stress on the elbow joint can cause it. Pain that occurs on the inner side of the elbow is known as golfer's elbow.