Tennis Elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a repetitive stress injury which can result from overuse of the muscles and tendons in the elbow. Despite its name, it’s not exclusive to tennis players, though playing racquet sports can definitely cause the condition. In fact statistics show that more people develop the condition from work than from play. Plumbers and other trade workers who use tools that require repetitive motions of the wrist and arm frequently suffer from the condition. Occasionally an acute injury or an underlying medical condition which weakens the body’s connective tissues can contribute to the development of lateral epicondylitis.

The main symptoms of Tennis Elbow are pain, inflammation and occasionally weakness in the affected limb. The pain originates in the tendons which link the muscles of the forearm to the outer side of the elbow, and can radiate all the way down to the wrist. In worse cases, weakness can accompany the pain, making it difficult to perform normal actions like turning a doorknob.
A basic exam and discussion of your history are frequently enough for your doctor to diagnose Tennis Elbow, though they may opt to make use of x-rays or other imaging in order to rule out other causes if your reported activities don’t suggest a direct cause. Many cases of tennis elbow can be alleviated simply with rest and using over-the-counter medications to help ease any discomfort. Regularly icing the affected area can also help. For acute cases an injection of corticosteroids or Botox might be used to provide relief.
What If Rest Isn’t Enough?
If your tennis elbow stems from a sport you frequently participate in or from your occupation, a physical therapist can analyze your movement in order to find ways to reduce the stress placed on your elbow joint to help prevent recurrence of the condition, including the use of braces to help provide support. They can also work with you on exercises to strengthen the muscles and tendons of your forearm, including wrist lifts, forearm rotations, and fist-clenching exercises. They’ll also guide you through stretches you can use to warm up your muscles and tendons prior to engaging in potentially-aggravating activities.
In the most stubborn cases, surgical procedures of varying invasiveness may be used as a last resort, including dry needling, TENEX, or open surgery. However with careful management of your elbow’s workload and some help from your PT it’s very likely that you can avoid needing to pursue these more drastic treatments.
Overall the prognosis for Tennis Elbow is good, even for people whose lifestyles make them prime candidates for the condition. This is a case where proactive prevention is smart if you know your lifestyle could eventually leave you in pain.
Comments