If you’ve noticed pain in your elbow when gripping a coffee cup, shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or lifting weights, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common early signs of tennis elbow — even in people who have never picked up a tennis or pickleball racket.
Many patients describe it the same way when they come into our office:
“It feels deep, like it’s in the hollows of the bones.”
Interestingly, that sensation often isn’t sharply painful at first. It’s more of a deep, strange, uncomfortable awareness in the elbow that shows up during gripping, lifting, or twisting movements. Over time, though, it can become more persistent and painful if the underlying issue isn’t addressed. Lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of Frisco pickleball players visit our office with elbow pain.
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is irritation and breakdown of the tendons that attach to the outside of your elbow. These tendons help control grip strength and wrist movement.
Despite the name, most people who develop tennis elbow get it from everyday activities like:
It’s essentially an overuse injury where the tendon becomes strained faster than the body can repair it.
When you grip something, the forearm muscles contract and pull on the tendon that attaches at the outer elbow. If that tendon is inflamed or irritated, even simple movements can trigger symptoms.
Common early sensations include:
At first, it may only show up during activity. Later, it can linger even at rest.
Patients often worry something is wrong with the bone because of how deep the discomfort feels. But in most cases, the bone itself isn’t the problem.
What you’re feeling is the tendon attachment right where it connects to the bone. When that tissue becomes irritated, the brain can interpret the sensation as deep and internal, even though the issue is in the soft tissue around the joint.
That’s why people describe it as:
And again, early on, it may not even be sharply painful — just noticeable and uncomfortable.
One of the biggest frustrations with tennis elbow is that it can linger for months if the underlying stress continues.
That’s because:
Without proper treatment, the tissue can slowly degenerate and become more sensitive over time.
You may be dealing with a progressing tendon injury if you notice:
Catching it early usually leads to faster recovery.
The goal with tennis elbow is to reduce irritation, improve healing, and restore strength to the tendon.
Depending on the severity, conservative care may include:
Many patients prefer to try non-invasive options before considering injections or more aggressive interventions.
If your elbow discomfort:
It’s worth having it evaluated. Early care often prevents a minor tendon irritation from turning into a long-term problem.
That deep, strange sensation when gripping — the one people often describe as being in the “hollows of the bones” — is a very common early sign of tennis elbow. It may not be sharply painful at first, but it’s your body’s signal that the tendon is under stress.
Addressing it early can help prevent it from becoming a chronic, frustrating condition.
FAQ
Why does my elbow hurt when I grip things?
Gripping activates the forearm muscles, which pull on the tendon attached to the outer elbow. If that tendon is irritated, it can cause pain or deep discomfort.
Is tennis elbow a tear?
Not usually. Most cases involve irritation and small areas of tendon breakdown rather than a full tear.
Can tennis elbow heal on its own?
Mild cases sometimes improve with rest and activity changes, but persistent cases often benefit from targeted treatment.
Why does it feel deep inside the joint?
The tendon attaches directly to the bone, which can make the sensation feel like it’s coming from deep within the elbow.
