Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, also known as epicondylitis, is pain on the outside of the elbow. It is the degeneration of the tendon fibers that connect the muscles of the forearm to the bone. These are the muscles that lift or extend the hand or wrist. (Golfer's elbow is the same except that it effects the tendons on the inside of the elbow, instead of the outside.)
What Are the Causes of Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is rarely caused by a one-time injury. It is usually due to overuse over time of the tendon in work (meat cutting, plumbing, painting, carpentry, typing, raking, weaving, knitting) or sports (tennis, racquetball, squash, fencing) that require repetitive and strong use of the forearm muscle. The repeated motion can cause an inflammation or tear in the tendons.
What Are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
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Pain and tenderness in the bony knob on the outside of your elbow that increases over time
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Pain increases when trying to lift something, extending wrist or grasping an object
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Pain can radiate down forearm and wrist or up the upper arm
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In severe cases, intense, radiating pain when moving the elbow
Seek medical attention immediately if your elbow looks deformed, your elbow won't bend or you suspect a broken bone.
How Is Tennis Elbow Evaluated?
Your physician will conduct a physical exam that includes assessing pain level by:
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Pressing on the elbow to assess pain level
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Pressing on wrist or fingers as you try to lift
Your physician may order an X-ray or MRI to rule out a fracture or arthritis.
How Is Tennis Elbow Treated?
Self Care
Follow the PRINCE treatment model:
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P
rotect your elbow with a supportive brace.
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R
est your elbow.
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I
ce your knee several times a day for 10 to 20 minutes, until swelling subsides.
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N
onsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) help with pain relief and swelling reduction.
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C
ompression with an elastic compression wrap also helps reduce swelling.
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E
levation. Raise your elbow above the level of your heart to reduce swelling and bruising.
Nonsurgical
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Application of pulsed ultrasound to break up scar tissue and increase blood flow
If symptoms haven't improved a month later:
Surgical Approach
Surgery is considered only for severe cases that have not improved after six months of nonsurgical intervention. Surgery is usually done through on open incision but sometimes can be done arthroscopically. Degenerated tissue is removed and the tendon is reattached to the bone. It can be done on an outpatient basis.
After surgery, the elbow is put in a brace for a week. Once that is removed, the patient must participate in physical therapy.
When you return to activity
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Find an expert who can evaluate your technique to make sure you are using the proper form
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Practice hand-wrist strengthening exercises
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Warm up before activity, ice after
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Always keep your wrist straight
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).