Elbow and wrist pain usually reflects overload rather than a single injury — repetitive gripping, computer work, racquet sport or manual labour. Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, wrist ligament strains and carpal tunnel syndrome respond well to a structured programme, provided the underlying load is addressed rather than just the pain.
Symptoms checklist
- Pain on the outer elbow when gripping or lifting
- Pain on the inner elbow with wrist flexion
- Weak grip or dropping objects
- Wrist pain on twisting a key or opening a jar
- Night tingling in the thumb, index and middle fingers
- Clicking, swelling or restricted rotation of the forearm
When to see a doctor
- Elbow or wrist deformity after a fall
- Persistent numbness or wasting of the hand muscles
- Locking of the elbow or an inability to straighten it
- Sudden loss of grip strength
- Pain unchanged after eight weeks of therapy
Common causes
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Degenerative overload of the common extensor origin from repetitive gripping.
Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
The same process on the inner side, aggravated by repeated wrist flexion and pronation.
Ligament injuries
Ulnar collateral or wrist ligament strains after a fall on an outstretched hand or throwing loads.
TFCC and scaphoid injuries
Wrist-side pain and clicking after trauma; a missed scaphoid fracture can lead to non-union.
Nerve compression
Carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel syndrome causing tingling, night pain and grip weakness.
Treatment ladder
Treatment always begins with the least invasive option that can work — surgery is considered only when simpler measures have been given a fair trial.
- 1
Step 1
Load management and self-care
Modify gripping tasks, review racquet or tool ergonomics, use a counterforce brace or wrist splint.
- 2
Step 2
Physiotherapy
Eccentric loading of the forearm muscles, nerve gliding exercises and progressive grip strengthening.
- 3
Step 3
Injections and PRP
PRP for resistant tendinopathy and a guided steroid injection for confirmed nerve compression or bursitis.
- 4
Step 4
Key-hole and small-incision surgery
Arthroscopic debridement, tendon release, ligament repair or nerve decompression when symptoms persist.
- 5
Step 5
Reconstruction and fracture fixation
Ligament reconstruction, scaphoid fixation or non-union surgery for structural injuries.
