Elbow Pain in Padel Players: Causes and How Physiotherapy Helps

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in Warsaw — and unfortunately, its rise in popularity has brought a sharp increase in patients visiting physiotherapy clinics with elbow pain. This problem affects not just competitive athletes but above all recreational players who jump into regular games without adequately preparing their bodies first.

Tennis Elbow vs. Golfer’s Elbow — What’s the Difference

Although both conditions affect the elbow, they have different origins. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is an overload of the wrist extensor tendons on the outer side of the elbow — pain appears when gripping, extending the wrist, or playing a backhand. Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the inner side of the elbow and involves overload of the wrist flexors — typically triggered by forehands, serves, or powerful swings.

In padel — with its wall play, frequent volleys, and wrist-heavy strokes — patients often present with symptoms of both conditions simultaneously or alternately.

Why Padel So Often Causes Elbow Pain

Padel loads the wrist and elbow in ways most recreational players aren’t physically prepared for. The short, stringless racket demands more wrist work than a tennis racket, frequent wall rebounds generate vibrations that travel through the elbow joint, and playing in an enclosed court with a faster pace of play leads to uncontrolled muscle tension. Add to that a lack of warm-up and a too-rapid increase in playing volume among new regular players, and elbow problems are almost inevitable.

How to Recognise Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow

The characteristic pain appears on the outer or inner side of the elbow and worsens when gripping, rotating the forearm, or hitting the ball. It’s often accompanied by pain radiating down the forearm. The pain can appear both during play and in everyday activities — holding a coffee cup, opening a door, or shaking hands.

How a Physiotherapist Treats Elbow Pain

The key mistake is treating the elbow in isolation. A physiotherapist assesses the entire kinetic chain: wrist strength and mobility, shoulder muscle function, scapular positioning, and movement patterns during the stroke. Treatment includes manual techniques to release overloaded tendons and muscles, connective tissue work at the attachment site, eccentric strengthening exercises for the tendon (proven effective in tendinopathy treatment), and dry needling of trigger points where needed. Equally important is analysing the player’s technique and reviewing their equipment setup.

Can You Keep Playing Padel During Treatment

This is one of the most common questions patients ask. The answer depends on the stage and severity of symptoms. In the acute phase with strong pain, a break or significant reduction in play is recommended. In the subacute phase, a gradual return to activity with modified technique and load is often possible. A complete, prolonged break is rarely necessary — and often not needed if the therapy is well structured.

When to Seek Help

Don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable. The earlier treatment begins, the faster and more complete the return to play. Chronic tendinopathies are significantly harder and longer to treat than those caught early. If elbow pain regularly appears after padel or tennis and doesn’t ease after a few days of rest, that’s your signal to book an appointment.

Summary

Elbow pain in padel and tennis players is common but very treatable. Physiotherapy gets you back on the court faster and more safely than simply waiting it out. If your elbow is hurting after padel, tennis, or any other activity — book an appointment at our clinic in Warsaw and let’s get you back in the game.