Elbow physiotherapy

The cost of follow-up appointments starts from £50.*

The cost of your total physiotherapy treatment will depend on various factors such as your condition, how many sessions you need and what type of treatment you are recommended. Some of our specialist treatments, such as steroid injection therapy, are priced separately, however you will be informed of any additional charges as part of your treatment planning. Your physiotherapist will always discuss your treatment options with you.

*This is a guide price and may vary. You'll be told the exact cost before you book.

You might need physiotherapy to manage your elbow pain if you have any of the following health concerns:

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow (extensor tendinopathy) is a condition that causes pain and weakness in the tendons in your elbow. These attach the muscles of your forearm to your outer elbow bone (lateral epicondyle). Tennis elbow, which causes pain on the outside of your elbow, is usually caused by overuse of your elbow, such as swinging a racket back and forth during tennis.

It can also be caused by computer use, DIY tasks involving gripping and twisting your wrist and hand, and other racket sports. Physiotherapy for tennis elbow involves tailored exercises to strengthen the muscles around your elbow joint, helping reduce inflammation and stiffness in the joint. Your physiotherapist will tailor your exercise programme based on your lifestyle, to ensure you protect your elbow from future injury while slowly easing back into your regular everyday activities, including sport and exercise.

Elbow tendonitis

A tendon is the connective tissue which binds muscles to their attachments. Tendonitis is a term used to describe pain and inflammation to any tendon. You might also hear it referred to as tendinopathy. Tendonitis in you elbow can cause a pain or dull ache that radiates into your forearm, as well as weakness and tingling in your arm or hand.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis happens when the smooth cartilage across the surface of your joint wears down over time. You'll sometimes hear it referred to as wear and tear arthritis, and it's more common the older we get. The wear and tear can make your joints very painful and stiff and can really reduce your mobility. This is the most common type of arthritis both in the UK and worldwide and it is one of the most common reasons why you might have physiotherapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) currently affects more than 400,000 people in the UK. It is an inflammatory joint condition caused by an autoimmune process, which happens when your body attacks its healthy cells by mistake. This often causes pain, swelling, and inflammation in your joints. Joints affected by RA are commonly surrounded by inflamed tissue, which often results in chronic pain. Rheumatoid arthritis in your elbow can make moving your elbow extremely painful, preventing you from completing basic home tasks such as cooking and cleaning.

A fracture

This can happen due to a bad fall or a direct blow to your elbow, causing one of the bones in your elbow to crack and break. A broken elbow can cause severe pain that worsens when you place pressure on it, as well as swelling, tenderness, and bruising.

Dislocated elbow

This happens when certain bones in your elbow move out of alignment, causing numbness and tingling. It typically happens when you fall and land on your outstretched hand. Elbow dislocation physiotherapy exercises help you restore strength and mobility in your elbow following a dislocation or surgery to repair a severely dislocated elbow.

Other reasons you might have elbow physiotherapy include:

• Cubital tunnel syndrome (a condition caused by pressure or stretching of the ulnar nerve, also known as the 'funny bone' nerve)
• Golfer's elbow (similar to tennis elbow, but causes pain on the inside of your elbow, while tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of your elbow)
• Bursitis (a condition that causes the fluid-filled sacs that protect your joints from damage and friction to become inflamed)

• Exercises
• Electrotherapy
• ESWT
• Acupuncture
• Steroid injection therapy

Your physiotherapist will explain which form of treatment is the best for you before they begin building your bespoke treatment plan.

• Flexible appointment times to fit your schedule
• A dedicated physiotherapist who will take the time to get to know you and understand your goals
• Bespoke physiotherapy programmes tailored to your individual needs
• Exceptional facilities and the latest technology and equipment to help you get the most out of physiotherapy
• Expert and care and advice from the same specialist who will support you throughout your journey, from beginning to end

If you want to know more physiotherapy for knee pain and find out if it's the right treatment for you, call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in June 2023. Next review due June 2026.

1. Elbow pain and arm pain, NHS
2. Elbow pain: causes, exercises and treatment, Versus Arthritis
3. Elbow problems, NHS Inform
4. Aching elbows, Harvard Health