Tennis Elbow

An inflammation of the tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow is known as tennis elbow. It frequently happens as a result of overusing these tendons and muscles. Lateral epicondylitis and lateral elbow pain are other names for tennis elbow.

One of the most typical reasons of elbow pain is tennis elbow. According to experts, 3% of American adults suffer with tennis elbow annually.

Despite being named for the game of tennis, over 90% of cases of tennis elbow are thought not to be related to tennis or other sports.

Symptoms of tennis elbow: The following are the most typical signs of tennis elbow:

Elbow pain, particularly on the outside of the elbow, which is the side of the body that is farthest from the center when your arms are at your sides and your palms are facing front.

• Rigidity.
• Growing.
• A weak grasp, particularly while attempting to hold a pen, racquet, or shake someone's hand.

Causes of tennis elbow: 

• Repetitive misuse of the arm movements is the root cause of tennis elbow. Tiny rips in the tendon connection at the elbow may result from this. This corresponds to hitting a ball with a racquet repeatedly and with force in a game of tennis.
• When racquet swing power is executed incorrectly, it can rotate through and around the wrist. As a result, the wrist moves as opposed to the shoulder or elbow joint. This may put more strain on the tendon and result in inflammation and discomfort.
• Most often, the extensor muscles become painful due this tendon breakdown. The extensor muscles are those that straighten the wrist. Tennis elbow is associated with the extension of the fingers and the wrist. This is the kind of movement that allows the person to “snap” or flick the wrist, such as during a racquet swing.

Other causes :

• using scissors
• cutting tough food
• gardening
• sporting activities that involve high amounts of throwing
• swimming
• manual work that involves repetitive turning or lifting of the wrist, such as plumbing, typing, or bricklaying.

Diagnosis of tennis elbow: 

• There is an easy test that a person can do at home to decide whether they have tennis elbow.
• Stand behind a chair and place your hands on top of the chair back, with downward-facing palms and straight elbows. Try to lift the chair.
• If this action causes pain on the outside of the elbow, it is a likely indicator of tennis elbow.
• An X-ray or MRI scan is sometimes needed to rule out other more severe conditions, such as arthritis or an elbow joint injury. However, imaging is rarely necessary. The doctor will test a range of motions with the arm before asking about the location and nature of the pain.

Treatment of tennis elbow: 

• Rest: Resting the arm is important. A break in activity allows the tears in the tendon attachment to heal. Tennis players treat more serious cases with ice, anti-inflammatory drugs, soft tissue massages, stretching exercises, and ultrasound therapy.
• Physical therapy: Physical therapists commonly advise that racquet sports players strengthen their shoulder, upper arm, and abdominal muscles. This can help to reduce the wrist extensors during shoulder and arm movements.
• Ice massages and muscle stimulating techniques: These can also help the muscles to heal.

• Strapping or taping the forearm: Supporting the area can help realign the muscle fibers and relieve pressure on the area. A physician may recommend using a splint for 2 to 3 weeks to take the elbow out of action.
• Steroid injection: If symptoms are very painful, and the condition is making movement difficult, a physician may recommend a steroid injection.
• Other conservative treatments: Further options include injections of botulinum toxin, also known as Botox, and extra-corporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).
• ESWT is a technique thought to trigger the healing process by sending sound waves to the elbow. Heat therapy, low-level laser therapy, occupational therapy, and trigger point therapy are other options.
• Exercises: Stretches and progressive strengthening exercises involving the use of weights or elastic bands can be helpful. They can increase pain-free grip strength and forearm strength.

Why Do You Come to Spine Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre (SPTRC) for tennis elbow ?

Our physiotherapy staff in Shyamoli is very skilled in treating tennis elbow. Before treating you, we must first assess the patient, discuss with them, and create a treatment plan. We offer shockwave therapy, acupuncture therapy, electromagnetic field therapy, intermittent cryotherapy, and more. We can immediately relieve your pain.  

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