Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is medically known as lateral epicondylitis. It is an inflammatory condition of the wrist extensor muscles, where they attach to the lateral epicondyle (bony part on the outside of the elbow, when the palm is facing forwards).

Although commonly known as tennis elbow, lateral epicondylitis occurs more commonly in people who do not play tennis. It is caused by repetitive wrist extension movements (pulling the wrist back so the fingers point upwards). The extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle is the most frequently involved muscle.

Causes

Tennis elbow is caused by excessive use of the wrist extensors. If you do not play tennis, it may be due to an activity such as painting or DIY which you have done more than usual lately.

In tennis players, development of tennis elbow is usually due to poor technique, as tennis shots are generally played with a static wrist. A poor backhand is a particular culprit. Other causative factors include a grip which is too small or a racket which is strung too tightly.

Symptoms

• Pain at and up to 2cm below the lateral epicondyle.
• Pain on resisted wrist extension and often middle finger extension.
• Pain when pressing on the area just below the epicondyle.
• Weakness in the wrist.

Treatment

A number of treatments can be used in the treatment of tennis elbow. The most important thing however, is to make sure that whatever is causing the problem, is dealt with. For example, if it is your technique, get a coaches help to improve it. If the racket grip is too small, get a larger one. Or if the problem is related to overuse from another activity, try to avoid the aggravating movements.

• Apply ice to the painful area on a regular basis for the first few days of the injury. This will help to decrease pain and inflammation.
• Visit your Doctor or injury specialist who can prescribe you anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen etc).
• A specialist may also use massage to loosen the tight muscles and increase the blood flow to the area to help it heal.
• They may also use electrotherapy such as ultrasound.
• They may advise you to wear a brace which can help to take the strain off the muscle.
• Acupuncture has been used successfully in some cases.
• You should also be given stretching exercises and a strengthening program to help prevent a reoccurrence.

In chronic conditions which refuse to heal using the conservative methods stated above, a corticosteroid injection may be given. This should only be given once and may only provide short-term benefits. The final option for treatment is surgery, which is used very rarely and only in very long-standing cases.

Further Information

• Tennis elbow - for further information on treatment including rehabilitation, taping, sports massage, stretching and more visit sportsinjuryclinic.net