Elbow tendinopathy
Tennis Elbow & Golfer's Elbow — North Vancouver
Outer-elbow burn when you pour the kettle. Inner-elbow ache after a long climbing session. We treat the tendon — not just the painful spot — and build it back to a load it can hold.
What it is
Understanding your tennis elbow / golfer's elbow.
Tennis elbow — lateral epicondylitis — is a tendinopathy of the common extensor tendon at the outside of the elbow. Golfer's elbow is the medial-side cousin, involving the common flexor tendon. Despite the names, most cases we see have nothing to do with tennis or golf. They come from climbers, trades-people, new parents, programmers, and anyone whose week involves a lot of gripping, pinching, or wrist movement under load.
What makes elbow tendinopathy frustrating is that resting it almost never works. Rest calms the irritability briefly, but the tendon stays under-conditioned and lights up again the first time you wring out a dishcloth. The tendon needs the right kind of load — not zero load — to remodel.
There is a small piece of the puzzle the elbow itself doesn't tell you about. Tight or weak shoulder and scapular muscles often offload everything down the chain into the wrist and elbow. A good elbow rehab usually includes a brief tour of the shoulder.
What to expect
Many elbow tendinopathies show meaningful change in the first 6–8 weeks of a properly loaded program. Long-standing cases (over six months) often take longer and benefit from the addition of shockwave. Your physiotherapist will set the next milestone after assessment and adjust the load as response dictates.
Get a plan
Not sure if we're the right fit?
Send us a quick note about what's going on. A physiotherapist — not a receptionist — will read it and reply with what they'd recommend. No commitment to book.
Common questions
About tennis elbow / golfer's elbow.
Should I just rest it?+
Not in isolation. Complete rest tends to make the next return to load feel worse, not better. The right approach is reducing the irritating volume of the activity while progressively loading the tendon in a controlled way. We'll set the floor and the ceiling for you.
Is a cortisone shot the fix?+
Usually no. Short-term cortisone can quiet pain for a few weeks but is associated with worse outcomes at 6–12 months for lateral epicondylitis. We recommend it as a last resort, not a first step. Loaded rehab plus shockwave is the better trajectory in most cases.
What about a brace?+
A counterforce brace can take the edge off during aggravating tasks and let you keep working. It is a bridge, not a destination — the tendon still needs strengthening underneath. We'll fit one if it's the right call.
Is shockwave painful?+
It's strong sensation rather than pain for most people. The intensity is adjustable and you tell us when it's enough. Most patients tolerate it well, and the sensation eases noticeably after the first session.
Do you direct-bill extended health?+
Yes. Direct billing for most major extended-health insurers, plus ICBC and WorkSafeBC.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual presentations vary — assessment findings and treatment plans differ from person to person. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, neurological changes (numbness, weakness, bowel or bladder changes), or a significant trauma, contact your physician or emergency services. Physiotherapy at Medstar Sport Physio & Health is provided by physiotherapists registered with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC).
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