Tennis Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis
If you’re experiencing pain on the outside of your elbow, which is generally aggravated by lifting, you might be suffering from lateral epicondylitis. This injury is more commonly referred to as tennis elbow, and is experienced equally by men and women, most often between the ages of 35 to 65 and occurs in the dominant arm three out of four times. Tennis elbow can be experienced by anyone, but is most frequently seen in people who put their elbow under any sort of repetitive stress or strain, such as sports participants (common in racket sports, golf) and manual laborers (most often carpenters, plumbers, painters and gardeners).
How do I know that I have tennis elbow?
The symptoms of tennis elbow include pain or burning at the lateral side of the elbow, which could also radiate down the forearm. This pain would be aggravated by lifting, swinging a racquet or golf club, or any other action that involves grasping something and cocking back the wrist. The pain might come on suddenly or it could be gradual.
Should I see the doctor about this?
Going to see the doctor would be a good idea, especially if the pain gets worse and / or:
- You are unable to perform everyday tasks such as lifting.
- You cannot straighten your elbow.
- You experience swelling or bruising around the elbow.
- The elbow pain continues through the night or while resting and lingers for many days.
What actually causes tennis elbow?
While the cause of tennis elbow is not fully known, it has been speculated that the condition is due to the irritation of the extensor muscles of the forearm; specifically, the extensor carpi radialis brevis, which is responsible for cocking back the wrist. This extensor muscle becomes inflamed when placed under repetitive stress, however it has been discussed that inflammation is only part of the problem.
Many have considered that degeneration of the tendons is also an issue. It is quite possible that the repetitive strain put on the muscle and its tendon, causes micro-tears in the tendon. Aging is also a factor. Poor circulation to the area limits the amount of nutrition and blood flow, resulting in below-standard healing and which could lead to degeneration of the tissues in that area. The subsequent tissue breakdown of the tendon is the cause of the pain and ill-functioning elbow.
How do I treat tennis elbow?
There are a few options:
1. Make changes in your daily routine, such as:
- Less lifting.
- Lifting equally with both arms.
- Decreasing any other activities that aggravate your elbow.
2. Change your game, by:
- Analyzing your technique.
- Assessing equipment.
- Assessing playing conditions.
3. Take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). This remedy is easy to administer and helps to reduce pain and swelling in the affected area.
4. Wear an elbow brace. This is an inexpensive and easy way to reduce the symptoms of tennis elbow, which could allow you to continue with your everyday life and the activities that you love. An elbow brace, which is commonly referred to as an elbow clasp, can be purchased online or found in any drug store.
5. Cortisone injections. If you didn’t get much relief from taking NSAIDs, you might want to try cortisone injections, which would be administered locally. However, if the first two injections are to no avail, it is not likely that further injections will have any effect.
Tennis Elbow Surgery
Yes, the dreaded word. Don’t worry – this is only necessary for a very small portion of tennis elbow sufferers. If you have tried all of the above remedies over a long trial period, but are still experiencing unmanageable discomfort, you might have to opt for surgery. The surgery is fairly straightforward and will likely involve the removal of the damaged tendon or its release from the attachment.
