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Tennis elbow is a pain or soreness on the outside of your elbow.

Tennis elbow happens when you damage the tendons in your lower arm.

These tendons attach your muscles to the bone of your elbow.

When you move your wrist or hand, the tendons keep the muscles in place. It hurts because the tendons get worn.¹

Tennis elbow often starts for no clear reason. Most people who get tennis elbow have not had a specific injury to their arm or elbow. But many people with tennis elbow often do work or a sporting activity where they move their arm in a repetitive way.¹

Although playing tennis and other racquet sports such as badminton or squash can lead to tennis elbow, only 1 in 20 people get it this way.² Many other things, such as raking leaves, wringing clothes or using scissors can cause tennis elbow.³ Some jobs are associated with a higher risk of tennis elbow. These include meat cutting, plumbing and painting.

Tennis elbow mostly affects people between ages 30 and 50.¹ But it can happen to anyone.

You usually get tennis elbow in the arm you use most (for example, in the right arm if you are right-handed). You're more likely to get tennis elbow if your forearm muscles aren't fit and you over-exert them.

Doctors sometimes call tennis elbow lateral epicondylitis.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.