Tennis elbow isn’t just for the Wimbledon-bound; it can affect athletes in many sports and virtually any age, especially if the sport requires repetitive arm motions.
You're in the right place if your young athlete is struggling with this painful condition.
Dr. David Wu and our team at CurePain have everything you need to help your child heal and get back to the activities they love. Let’s walk through what tennis elbow is, why it happens, and how to support your athlete through a full recovery without rushing the process or risking further injury.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overuse injury that affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow. It happens when repetitive motions (like swinging a racket, throwing a ball, or lifting weights) cause tiny tears in the tendon, leading to pain, inflammation, and weakness in the forearm.
It’s most common in athletes between 12 and 25, especially those training hard, playing year-round, or focusing heavily on one sport.
It’s not always easy for kids and teens to explain their pain, so here are some key symptoms to look out for:
Early detection and treatment are key. If they brush off their pain and try to play through it, they risk making the condition worse.
Here are the next steps if your child has a tennis elbow.
The first step in healing tennis elbow is reducing the activity that caused the injury. That doesn’t mean your athlete must stop moving entirely, but they need to take a break from movements that aggravate their elbow.
We recommend cross-training or exercises that don’t involve the affected arm. Think stationary bike exercises, light stretching, or core strengthening — any activity that keeps them moving without impeding the healing process.
Basic home care goes a long way in the early stages of recovery. Use the RICE method:
Some athletes also benefit from a counterforce brace, a type of strap that wraps just below the elbow and helps take pressure off the tendon.
Lingering pain warrants a visit to our office. We evaluate your child’s injury and recommend a personalized recovery plan. Sometimes, we order imaging tests (ultrasound or MRI) to rule out serious tendon damage.
Many cases of tennis elbow resolve with conservative care, but moderate to severe cases — or those that don’t respond to rest and therapy — require additional treatment. Here are some of the most common.
Guided physical therapy is often the foundation of treatment. Your child will learn how to stretch, strengthen, and stabilize the muscles around the elbow, improving blood flow and preventing future injury.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections stimulate healing by using the body’s platelets to repair damaged tissue. These are especially helpful for athletes with chronic pain or tendon degeneration.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help manage pain and inflammation, but we typically recommend them as a short-term solution.
Sometimes, targeted therapies like ultrasound-guided tendon injections or nerve blocks can relieve pain and speed up recovery without surgery.
Once the pain has subsided and strength is restored, your athlete can start easing back into their sport. But it’s essential to go slowly. Jumping back in too soon can lead to reinjury or chronic elbow problems.
We work closely with you, your child, and their coach to create a gradual return-to-play plan. This usually includes:
We also discuss injury-prevention strategies. Here are a few tips to keep your young athlete off the sidelines:
Tennis elbow can be painful and frustrating, especially for active young athletes. But your athlete can recover fully and return stronger with the right care, patience, and guidance.
If your athlete is dealing with persistent elbow pain, don’t wait. Call our friendly staff or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment at our Torrance, California, office today.
