What is Tendonitis?
Tendinitis refers to irritation or inflammation of a tendon, which is the strong connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. In the wrist and elbow, these tendons are responsible for gripping, lifting, and rotating the forearm.
When these movements are repeated without adequate rest or recovery, the tendons can become overloaded. Over time, this leads to micro-tears, resulting in pain, stiffness, and weakness.
Common Symptoms
Wrist and elbow tendinitis can present in several ways, depending on severity and location. The most
common symptoms include
- Pain around the wrist or elbow that worsens with activity
- Tenderness when pressing on the affected area/li>
- Weak grip strength or difficulty lifting objects
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after rest
- Pain during repetitive tasks such as typing, cooking, or gardening
In the elbow, this is often seen as lateral or medial epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow or
golfer’s elbow.
What Causes Wrist and Elbow Tendinitis?
This condition typically develops from repetitive strain rather than a single injury. Common contributing
factors include:
- Repetitive wrist or arm movements
- Poor ergonomics during computer or desk work/li>
- Sports involving gripping or throwing
- Prolonged gardening or tool use
Muscle imbalance and inadequate forearm strength can also increase stress on the tendons, making
injury more likely.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
Physiotherapy plays a key role in both recovery and prevention of wrist and elbow tendinitis. Treatment is not only focused on reducing pain but also on addressing the root cause of the condition.
- Pain Relief and Early Treatment
In the early stages, physiotherapy focuses on reducing pain and inflammation. This may include: Manual
therapy to reduce muscle tightness, soft tissue techniques to improve blood flow, gentle mobility
exercises to restore movement, taping or bracing for support when needed.
- Restoring Strength and Function
Once pain begins to settle, strengthening becomes the most important part of recovery. A
physiotherapist will guide you through a progressive exercise program targeting the wrist, forearm, and
elbow muscles.
These exercises help: Improve tendon load tolerance, restore grip strength, prevent recurrence of
symptoms, improve overall arm function.
- Activity and Ergonomic Advice
A key part of physiotherapy is identifying and correcting the activities that contributed to the condition.
This may include:
- Adjusting workstation setup for better posture
- Modifying repetitive tasks at work or home
- Teaching proper lifting and movement mechanics
- Educating on activity pacing to avoid overload
Additional Treatment Options
Depending on the severity of the condition, physiotherapists may also use dry needling, ultrasound
therapy, shockwave therapy and targeted stretching programs.
These techniques can support healing and help patients return to normal activity faster.
Recovery and Outlook
With early intervention and consistent physiotherapy, most people experience significant improvement in symptoms. Recovery time varies depending on severity, but long-term outcomes are very positive when strengthening and prevention strategies are followed.
Contact Us Today!
At Health Plus Physiotherapy, we provide individualized treatment plans for wrist and elbow tendinitis
based on each patient’s condition, lifestyle, and activity demands. Our goal is to reduce pain, restore
function, and help prevent recurrence so you can return to your daily activities with confidence.
Take the first step towards recovery by
contacting us today to schedule your physiotherapy appointment with one of our experienced physiotherapists!
