Tennis Elbow
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, is a condition that causes pain on the outside of the forearm in the elbow region.
It is a common condition, an injury to the tendons that join the forearm muscles (Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRB) to the outside of the elbow. This condition occurs when there is inflammation or degeneration in these tendons.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
- Pain associated with the tennis elbow comes on gradually.
- It starts as a mild recurring pain in the outer elbow which becomes intense and causes discomfort and weakness when moving the forearm. The pain worsens with lifting or bending the arm.
- If left untreated, the pain will spread down to the wrist and start hurting even at rest.
- Tennis elbow can also be due to acute injury, in which the area around the elbow swells up along with pain immediately after a sudden injury.
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is most commonly a chronic condition.
It occurs due to overuse and damage to the forearm muscles, tendons and the other muscles surrounding the elbow by doing repetitive movements.
These, in turn, causes inflammation or mild tears in the tendons, a process known as tendinitis or tendon degeneration.
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Playing racquet sports like tennis, squash and badminton
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Sports that involve full arm extension and throwing (overarm throwing)
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Lifting weights frequently
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Repetitive hand and wrist movements in activities like typing
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Occupations involving repetitive hand grasping like bricklaying
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Regular use of hand tools in occupations such as painting
Diagnosis of Tennis Elbow
Diagnosis of Tennis elbow begins with history taking and a thorough physical examination of your elbow for swelling and tenderness.
Your doctor will bend and move your arms, elbow and wrist to find if the pain relates to your symptoms.
In addition, the doctor may suggest imaging tests like ultrasound scanning to confirm the diagnosis.
These tests also help diagnose the severity of the tendon and muscle damage around your elbow.
Treatment for Tennis Elbow
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Medication:- You can reduce the inflammation and ease the pain by taking painkillers and Non-Steroid Anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs). There are also Cortisone or Platelet-Rich Plasma injections to ease the pain.
Dry needling is also helpful. With medication, your doctor may also suggest you wear a tennis elbow strap for a short time.
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Physical Therapy:- Physical therapy involves exercises like stretches to improve the strength and flexibility of the forearm muscles and tendons. These therapies also improve blood circulation for faster healing.
Wrist extension, towel twist and finger stretches are some basic exercises that improve Tennis elbow. Massage also reduces inflammation and eases the pain.
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Shock Wave Therapy:-Shock Wave therapy is an effective treatment that shows good results for many.
It involves giving high-energy shockwaves in the affected area near the elbow to relieve inflammation and restore movements.
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Surgery:- If none of the above treatments helps, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery for tendon repair can include removal of the damaged tendon linings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As tennis elbow occurs with regular activities or recreational sports, it’s not easy to prevent it.Â
However, if you start experiencing pain or discomfort in the elbow region, get professional help to change the technique or movement that puts strain on your elbow, wrist and forearm.Â
You can also try changing the equipment, like using lightweight tools to avoid straining.
It usually gets better with rest and self-care. You can also try ice and compression along with anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve pain and inflammation. Most importantly, avoid doing activities that strain your tendon in the elbow region.Â
If the pain doesn’t subside with self-care and rest, you should seek medical care for proper medical treatments.
The pain with tennis elbow is usually associated with the outside of the elbow. You will feel pain, swelling or tenderness in the elbow region. Pain occurs precisely in the area where the tendons of the forearms attach to the outside of your elbow. However, you may also feel pain in the forearm and wrist.
During the initial stages of tendon inflammation, you may not feel any pain. With time, you will start to feel mild pain and discomfort along the outside of your elbow. Slowly, the pain will spread down to your forearm and wrist, affecting your daily life activities like using a door key or holding a cup. This eventually leads to pain even at night.
Yes, it heals on its own with time and rest. It may take anywhere from twelve months to a year or sometimes more than that. However, a full recovery is only possible by stopping the activity that causes inflammation. Rest is the mainstay of treatment but this can take a long time. If that is not possible, consult a doctor right away.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a condition that can affect anyone.
Without proper medical diagnosis and treatment, you can develop chronic pain which is difficult to resolve without intervention.
Our Treatments for Tennis Elbow
Cortisone Injections
A Cortisone Injection (termed steroid injection in the UK) is an anti inflammatory injection frequently used for Tennis Elbow
Explore MoreProlotherapy
A regenerative treatment for chronic painful tendons which involves the injection of a specially formulated solution into damaged tissue to help it heal.
Explore MorePlatelet Rich Plasma
PRP contains Platelets, growth factors and proteins which help repair and regenerate damaged tendons. Long Term Results show it is very effective for Tennis Elbow
Explore MoreThink you have Tennis Elbow? Book in with MyMSK Clinic for a scan and treatment
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