Physiotherapy treatment to relieve elbow and wrist pain in Peterborough
Physiotherapy for elbow and wrist pain focuses on the assessment and rehabilitation of conditions affecting the elbow, wrist and hand. Elbow and wrist pain can arise from muscles, joints, soft tissues, or nerves, and is often associated with prolonged desk work, overuse injuries, poor manual handling or muscular strains.
Your physiotherapist at VCF will carry out a thorough assessment of your elbow and wrist and the surrounding areas, as well as your movement, strength, mobility, position and posture, to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms
Common elbow and wrist conditions
Based on the findings of your assessment, your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs and may include hands-on therapy, such as manual therapy, joint mobilisations, and deep tissue techniques to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore normal movement.
Your physiotherapist will also prescribe targeted exercises to improve your range of motion, strength, and overall function. You may receive advice on posture and alignment, return to sport, workstation ergonomics, and modifying daily activities to support your recovery. Where appropriate, acupuncture may also be included as part of your treatment plan.
Our aim is to help you achieve your goals by relieving pain, restoring movement and function, get you back to the activities you love and reduce the risk of your symptoms returning.
Common elbow conditions include:
Tennis elbow
Golfers elbow
Tendonitis
Fracture
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a condition affecting the tendons on the outside of the elbow. It is usually caused by repetitive gripping, lifting or twisting activities that overload the forearm muscles and tendons. Despite its name, it commonly affects people who do not play tennis. Symptoms may include:
Pain on the outside of the elbow
Pain when gripping, lifting or twisting objects
Reduced grip strength
Tenderness over the outer elbow
Pain that may radiate into the forearm
Symptoms that worsen with repetitive hand or wrist movements
Golfer's elbow
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a condition affecting the tendons on the inside of the elbow. It develops due to repetitive stress from gripping, lifting or wrist movements and can occur during sport, manual work or everyday activities. Symptoms may include:
Pain on the inside of the elbow
Tenderness over the inner elbow
Pain when gripping or lifting objects
Weakness of the hand or wrist
Stiffness around the elbow
Occasionally, pins and needles into the ring and little fingers
Tendonitis
Tendonitis of the elbow is an inflammatory or degenerative condition affecting the tendons around the elbow joint. It commonly develops following repetitive movements, overuse or a sudden increase in activity levels. Symptoms may include:
Pain around the elbow during movement
Tenderness over the affected tendon
Stiffness, particularly after rest
Pain when lifting or carrying objects
Reduced strength of the arm
Symptoms that worsen with repetitive activities
Fractures
Fractures of the elbow involve a break in one or more of the bones that make up the elbow joint. They are commonly caused by falls onto an outstretched hand, direct impact or sporting injuries and require prompt assessment. Symptoms may include:
Sudden, severe elbow pain
Swelling and bruising
Difficulty moving the elbow
Inability to bear weight through the arm
Tenderness over the affected bone
Visible deformity in more severe injuries
Common wrist conditions include:
Tendonitis and overuse injuries
De Quervain's tenosynovitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Fractures
Tendonitis and overuse injuries
Tendonitis and overuse injuries of the wrist occur when the tendons become irritated due to repetitive movements, prolonged computer use, manual work or sporting activities. These conditions often develop gradually over time. Symptoms may include:
Pain around the wrist during movement
Tenderness over the affected tendons
Swelling around the wrist
Reduced grip strength
Stiffness after periods of rest
Pain with repetitive hand or wrist activities
De Quervain's tenosynovitis
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It occurs when the tendon sheath becomes irritated, making thumb and wrist movements painful. It is commonly associated with repetitive gripping, lifting or caring for young children. Symptoms may include:
Pain on the thumb side of the wrist
Pain when gripping, pinching or lifting
Swelling near the base of the thumb
Difficulty moving the thumb
Tenderness over the affected tendons
Pain that worsens with repetitive hand movements
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This compression disrupts normal nerve function and may develop due to repetitive activities, swelling, pregnancy or underlying medical conditions. Symptoms may include:
Pins and needles in the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers
Numbness in the hand, particularly at night
Hand weakness or reduced grip strength
Pain that may travel into the forearm
Difficulty with fine motor tasks such as buttoning clothes
A tendency to drop objects
Fractures
Fractures of the wrist involve a break in one or more of the wrist bones, most commonly following a fall onto an outstretched hand or direct impact. Prompt assessment is important to ensure appropriate healing and recovery. Symptoms may include:
Sudden wrist pain following injury
Swelling and bruising
Difficulty moving the wrist
Pain when gripping or bearing weight through the hand
Tenderness over the affected bone
Visible deformity in more severe fractures
Frequently asked questions for elbow and wrist pain
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If your pain persists for more than a few days, keeps returning, or affects your work, sport, or daily activities, a physiotherapy assessment can help identify the cause and start the right treatment.
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Physiotherapy can help manage conditions including tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, wrist sprains, tendon injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, and osteoarthritis.
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Treatment may include hands-on therapy, exercises to improve strength and mobility, activity advice, and a personalised rehabilitation programme to support your recovery.
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Recovery depends on your condition and its severity. Some injuries improve within a few weeks, while longer-standing tendon or joint conditions may take several months. Your physiotherapist will guide you through each stage of rehabilitation.
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Yes. Physiotherapy addresses the underlying causes of your pain by improving strength, movement, and technique, while providing advice to reduce the risk of future injuries.
Why Choose VCF Physiotherapy
Experienced Physiotherapists: Our team has extensive experience in assessing and treating a wide range of elbow and wrist conditions, from acute sprains and fractures to long-term issues such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, wrist tendon injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoarthritis. Several members of our team are active in sports including netball and strength training, giving us a strong.
Elbow and Wrist Expertise: VCF Physiotherapy specialises in the assessment, treatment, and prevention of elbow and wrist injuries. We focus on reducing pain, restoring mobility, improving strength and grip function, and addressing movement patterns to help you recover efficiently and return to work or sport.
Personalised Goals: Every patient receives an individualised treatment plan tailored to their condition, lifestyle, activity level, and personal goals. Our aim is not only to relieve your symptoms but also to address the underlying cause of your elbow or wrist pain, helping you regain confidence in your movement while reducing the risk of future injury.
Expert-Led Practice: Our Practice Manager and Senior Physiotherapist lead weekly in-service training sessions, ensuring our team stays up to date with the latest research and delivers high-quality, evidence-based care for a wide range of elbow and wrist conditions.
Experienceing elbow or wrist pain?
Book an appointment with our expert physiotherapists at VCF by filling out our online form, or call us on 01733 331212 today and begin your personalised physiotherapy treatment plan.