Tennis elbow is a condition when the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and tender, usually as a result of a specific strain or overuse. Another name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. Although tennis elbow is commonly associated with tennis, any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist or forearm like using a screwdriver can lead to tennis elbow. Carpenters, gardeners, dentists, musicians, and others that routinely use repetitive wrist turning or hand gripping movements are at increased risk for developing tennis elbow.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is an inflammation, soreness, or pain on the outside or lateral side of the upper arm near the elbow. There may be a partial tear of the tendon fibers that connect muscle to bone at or near their point of origin on the outside of the elbow. The tendons involved are responsible for anchoring the muscles that extend or lift the wrist and hand.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Although playing tennis is one cause of tennis elbow, many other common activities can cause tennis elbow. The most common cause of tennis elbow is over use of the muscles that pull the hand backwards. Sometimes tennis elbow is caused by a direct injury or a blow and in these cases, the muscles may be partially torn. Any repetitive motion of the wrist, including tennis, hedge clipping, excessive use of a hammer or screwdriver, painting, or any activity that requires excessive constant gripping or squeezing can cause tennis elbow.
Who Gets Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is seen mostly in patients between the ages of 30 years to 50 years, but it can occur in any age group. Tennis elbow affects as many as half of athletes in racquet sports, however, most patients with tennis elbow are not active in these kinds of sports. Many times there is not a specific traumatic injury before the symptoms of tennis elbow begin. Many individuals with tennis elbow are involved in work or recreational activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscles. Some patients develop tennis elbow without any specific recognizable activity leading to symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
The pain associated with tennis elbow usually has a gradual onset, but may also come on suddenly. Individuals with tennis elbow experience pain on the outside of the elbow that is worsened by grasping objects and cocking back the wrist. Pain can also radiate to the forearm. The outer part of the elbow is painful and tender to touch. In many cases, the pain slowly, but gradually worsens over weeks or months. The pain can be made worse by pressing on the outside part of the elbow or by gripping or lifting objects. Lifting even very light objects such as a small book or a cup of coffee can lead to significant discomfort. In more severe cases, pain can occur with simple motion of the elbow joint or even when the arm is at rest.
How is Tennis Elbow Treated?
Over ninety of people with tennis elbow improve with non-surgical treatment. Home care with ice, rest, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are the mainstays of treatment. An elbow brace helps take the pressure off the inflamed tendon as well as resting the muscles and tendons. Counterforce braces are often recommended during activities that require grasping or twisting arm movements. A counterforce brace is a strap worn around your forearm just below your elbow that relieves pressure on the tendon and distributes it throughout the arm. At first, the brace may be worn at all times but as the pain subsides, the brace is necessary only for protection during activities that stress the injured arm. Gentle exercise such as walking increases blood circulation to the injured area and help to promote healing.
How is Tennis Elbow Prevented?
The easiest way to prevent tennis elbow is to modify activities that cause symptoms. It's important to analyze the way you use your arm at work or during recreation. Keeping the wrist straight during any lifting activity will help prevent the pain of tennis elbow by letting the more powerful muscles of the upper arm carry more of the load than the smaller forearm muscles. It also helps to warm up properly and to gently stretch the forearm muscles at the wrist before and after use. To prevent recurrence of tennis elbow, an elbow brace is often recommended to reduce stress on the affected area.
