Tennis Elbow: What Increases Your Risk

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What Increases Your Risk

Risk factors for tennis elbow include:

• Activities that involve repeated movements of the forearm, wrist, and fingers. This includes grasping and twisting arm movements done in jobs (such as carpentry, plumbing, or working on an assembly line), daily activities (such as lifting objects or gardening), and sports (such as racquet sports, throwing sports, swimming, or golf).
• Improper techniques while doing certain movements, such as gripping a handle or twisting an object.
• Improper equipment for work, daily activities, and sports, such as using a hammer with a grip that is too large for your hand or a tennis racquet grip that is too large or too small.
• Age. Tennis elbow usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 60 and is most common during the 40s.
• History of tendon injuries. Some people seem susceptible to tendon injury, based on a history of various tendon injuries such as rotator cuff disorders.¹

If you suspect that your workplace activity is causing elbow pain or soreness, talk to your human resources department for information on other ways of doing your job, equipment changes, or other job assignments. For more information, see the topic Office Ergonomics.

Last updated:	February 14, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC