The aim of this information sheet is to give you some understanding of the problems you may have with your elbow. It has been divided into sections, describing your elbow, what we know about tennis elbow and your treatment options.
About your elbow
The elbow consists of the upper arm bone and two bones in the forearm. It works in two parts. One part acts as a hinge enabling you to bend and straighten the elbow. The second part provides rotation of your forearm, for example to put your palm up towards the ceiling to receive change in a shop.
The joint is surrounded by muscles which move the elbow. Muscles which move your wrist and fingers also attach around the elbow. In addition there are nerves which pass close by the joint (e.g. hitting your elbow can produce pain and pins and needles in the forearm and/or fingers).