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Elbow Pain Physio Melbourne
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are two of the most common causes of elbow pain, and both usually respond well to physiotherapy without surgery. At Eastside Physio + Co, we treat elbow pain from our Surrey Hills clinic, helping people across Melbourne's eastern suburbs by providing treatment that is personalised to your goals.
What causes elbow pain
The majority of elbow pain comes from overloaded tendons where the forearm muscles attach at the elbow joint. The elbow joins the upper arm to the forearm and relies on muscles, ligaments and tendons working together so you can bend your arm and move your wrist. Repetitive load is the usual trigger for this: things like carpentry, painting, desk work and racquet sports. All of these can overload the tendons over time.
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Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
This causes pain on the outside of the elbow and is the most common type of elbow tendinopathy we see. Tennis elbow (or “lateral epicondylitis”) comes from overusing the tendons responsible for straightening the wrist. Despite the name, it's far more commonly caused by repetitive work than by playing tennis.
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Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis)
This causes pain on the inside of the elbow. Golfer's elbow (or “medial epicondylitis”) is the same problem as tennis elbow, just in a different tendon group, namely the muscles that bend the wrist and help you grip.
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Other elbow conditions
Not every sore elbow is caused by a tendon. Arthritis, fractures, joint instability and nerve irritation can all cause elbow pain, and that pain can be referred from elsewhere, meaning a neck problem can sometimes be felt in the elbow. If your symptoms started during sport or training, a sporting injury may also be responsible.
SYMPTOMS
Elbow pain symptoms
Tennis elbow usually causes pain on the outside of the elbow, while golfer's elbow causes pain on the inside. Common symptoms include:
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a weaker grip, or pain when lifting
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stiffness and reduced movement
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swelling in some cases
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numbness or tingling into the arm or fingers, which may suggest a nerve is involved
See a physiotherapist if the pain persists for more than two weeks, or if it affects your grip and normal activities.
DIAGNOSIS
How we diagnose elbow pain
Following a discussion of your medical history, the physiotherapist will conduct tendon loading, grip strength and movement assessments to pinpoint the source of your pain and confirm the diagnosis.
The majority of patients with elbow pain do not require an X-ray or MRI. These imaging tests are usually reserved for suspected fractures, significant joint instability or when symptoms don't match a straightforward tendon problem. You do not require a GP referral to make an appointment.
Elbow pain treatment: physio first
The majority of elbow injuries, including tennis elbow, are managed effectively without resorting to surgery or injections. Rest alone doesn't treat a tendon injury; the tendon needs to be loaded and progressively strengthened. Exercise is the foundation of treatment in non-surgical management. Manual therapy is used to reduce pain and improve joint mobility. Bracing or strapping can help reduce the load on the tendon while it settles.
We also adjust how you load the elbow at work and in sport. Our approach is evidence-based, and the goal is to reduce your pain and get you back to full load as quickly as the tendon allows. See our modern approach to tendon injuries for how it applies to elbow tendinopathy.
Shockwave therapy for tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive option we use for stubborn tennis elbow and golfer's elbow, when tendinopathy is not settling with loading alone. It is an add-on to rehabilitation, not a replacement. The trial evidence is mixed. For tennis elbow, some studies show better pain and grip strength than no treatment, while others match a placebo. For golfer's elbow there is very little trial evidence. Our shockwave therapy page explains how it works and when it suits.
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When elbow surgery is worth considering
4–11%
of tennis elbow cases proceed to surgery (StatPearls NBK431092)
Elbow surgery is a last resort for a small minority of cases. Most people with tennis elbow recover with conservative care, and an estimated 4 to 11 percent of tennis elbow cases proceed to surgery (StatPearls NBK431092). Tennis elbow surgery suits a small set of situations: a fracture, a tendon rupture, significant joint instability, or a persistent case that has completed a structured loading programme after 6 to 12 months of care. We work alongside orthopaedic surgeons and welcome referral letters from treating doctors. We also provide physiotherapy rehabilitation after elbow surgery. We cannot guarantee an outcome.
Clinic information
Eastside Physio + Co has treated Melbourne's eastern suburbs from our Surrey Hills clinic since 2017, with more than 6,300 clients.
Address: 427 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills VIC 3127
Phone: (03) 9836 1333
Email: info@esphysio.com.au
Referral: none needed to book. Medicare rebates need a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Private health: claim on the spot via HICAPS, all major insurers.
WorkCover, TAC and NDIS clients welcome.
Parking: there are three onsite parking bays at the front of the building and two at the rear. Additional street parking is available on Canterbury Road and the adjoining streets.
Book an elbow assessment in Melbourne's eastern suburbs
Booking is easy and no referral is needed. Book online or call the clinic and we will find you a time.
Eligibility is confirmed when you book. We accept private health insurance. We also accept WorkCover, and we work with NDIS and TAC. We do not publish consultation fees online; fees are confirmed when you book. Our new patient information sets out rebate and referral details; contact the clinic with any questions.