Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow: Understanding and Overcoming the Pain in Your Elbow

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Are you experiencing a sharp, burning pain on the outside of your elbow, especially when gripping or twisting your wrist? You might have tennis elbow, a common condition affecting the forearm muscles that attach to your elbow joint. Here, we'll dive into everything you need to know about tennis elbow, from understanding the condition to exploring treatment options.

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Understanding Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury that inflames the tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow. While the name suggests it's exclusive to tennis players, anyone who performs repetitive gripping motions can develop this condition.

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Causes of Tennis Elbow

The repetitive stress on the forearm tendons is the primary culprit behind tennis elbow. This stress can be caused by various activities, including:

• Repetitive Gripping Motions: Occupations like carpentry, painting, plumbing, and even frequent computer use can put a strain on these tendons.

• Sports: Tennis (especially with poor backhand technique), weightlifting, racquetball, and pickleball are common culprits.

• Other Activities: Playing musical instruments, gardening, and even using screwdrivers can contribute to tennis elbow.

 

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

The most prominent symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of your elbow, especially when:

• Gripping objects

• Twisting your wrist

• Lifting objects

You might also experience:

• Weakness in the grip

• Tenderness to the touch

• Difficulty extending your elbow

 

Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow

The good news is that most cases of tennis elbow respond well to conservative treatment without surgery. Here are some common approaches:

• Rest: Reducing activities that aggravate the pain is crucial for healing. This may involve taking a break from certain hobbies or modifying your work techniques.

• Ice Therapy: Applying ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times a day can reduce inflammation and pain.

• Bracing: Wearing a wrist brace can help support the muscles and tendons, alleviating some of the strain.

• Medications: Various anti-inflammatory medications are often recommended. A more thorough discussion with your primary care provider can help determine what is right for you, if applicable

• Physiotherapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises provided by an qualified conservative care provider can improve flexibility, strengthen the muscles, and reduce pain.

• Class IV Laser Therapy: Laser treatment can help speed up the healing process, decrease pain, and decrease inflammation

• Dry Needling: Dry needling can help decrease pain and inflammation while helping to improve pain-free range of motion.

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When to See a Doctor

If your pain persists for more than a few weeks despite trying home remedies like rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication, consult a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can lead to faster recovery and prevent complications.

 

Living with and Preventing Tennis Elbow

By modifying activities, using proper form during exercise, and taking preventive measures, you can minimize your risk of developing tennis elbow or experiencing a recurrence. Here are some tips:

• Maintain good posture: Avoid slouching while working at a computer or desk. Good posture helps distribute stress evenly throughout your body.

• Warm up before exercise: Stretching your forearms before engaging in activities that involve repetitive gripping motions can help prevent injury.

• Strengthen your forearms: Specific exercises can build strength and resilience in the forearm muscles, making them less susceptible to overuse injuries.

  • For those looking for more in depth answers, we typically recommend eccentric exercises when tolerated well by the patient for the most rapid relief of symptoms and prevention of recurring symptoms​

• Take breaks: Avoid prolonged periods of repetitive motions. Take short breaks to stretch and rest your forearms throughout the day.

 

Additional Resources

We understand that dealing with any painful condition can be frustrating. If you have further questions or require more specific guidance on managing your tennis elbow, feel free to contact our clinic.