Healthcare providers can diagnose Tennis elbow by conducting an interview and examination. An imaging test might also be performed to rule out other causes for elbow discomfort, such as herniated disk.
Most people with tennis elbow find relief through rest, ice packs, pain medication and strengthening exercises for their forearm muscles. If this doesn’t help, healthcare providers might prescribe an injection to treat it more effectively.
Stretching
Tennis elbow (also referred to as lateral epicondylitis) occurs when overuse or strain leads to injury of the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. Athletes who engage in sports that require repetitive arm movements often develop this condition; however, individuals from non-sporting fields such as recreation may also develop it due to activities requiring repeated wrist and arm movement such as recreational activities or workplace occupations that demand frequent wrist/arm motion.
Prevention of tennis elbow begins by being aware of what activities cause pain, and cutting back on them. If symptoms already exist, a physical therapist can teach stretching and strengthening exercises to ease them.
These exercises include controlled stretches that gently bend, straighten, and rotate the wrist; strengthening exercises include various forms of hand weights for gradual strength building; isometric exercises are also very helpful, such as holding onto something like a broom handle or tennis ball in a supinated position – performing these regularly can increase flexibility while decreasing inflammation and stiffness.
If your tennis elbow does not improve with conservative treatments, consulting with a physician for additional treatment could be necessary. They will conduct tests to identify the source of pain: in your elbow joint itself or its associated tendons that run from arm to palm. An MRI may help show how severe damage has occurred while electromyography checks for nerve compression as well as any conditions which could be contributing.
If conservative treatments fail to provide relief after several months, a physician can prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs or cortisone injections into the tendon. Steroid injections may provide immediate pain relief; however, high quality studies indicate they don’t produce long-term improvements. Other interventions being studied include ultrasound guided ESWT which sends soundwaves directly into affected areas, and platelet-rich plasma injections which use concentrated cells from your own blood to promote healing.
Warming up
As with legs, forearms need stretching exercises to prevent injury from repetitive activities like weight lifting. Tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis) occurs when forearm tendons become overused and irritated from repetitive wrist and arm movements; most common among racket sports players; but anyone using repetitive wrist and arm movements in work or leisure pursuits could be at risk of tennis elbow; the primary cause being overuse; however ageing and trauma could also contribute to its development.
Painful elbow arthritis typically manifests itself on either the outer or inner side, though pain may come from either. It occurs when overuse of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle (which extends wrist) causes its tendon attachments to rub against an outer bony prominence of the elbow (lateral epicondyle) resulting in microtears or inflammation in its tissues causing micro-tears and inflammation of its own – leading to microtears, micro-tears or inflammation of its tissues resulting in microtears being formed and irritation and overuse of this muscle often results in microtears being formed within its tendons attachings attached to this bony prominence causing micro-tears and irritation due to overextension being placed upon this bony prominence causing tension to build-up over time until overuse causes its tends attached tendons attaching onto it attaching onto it becoming overused and irritated and overextension of wrist joint extension muscle become overused or overextension of wrist extension muscle against this bony prominence causing micro-tears and inflammation within its own tendrix inflixixial to develop and the tendondyle where its tendent attached at attachment point leading to micro-tears and inflammation within its tendrix epicondyle which attaching onto it’s outer bony prominence on its outer bony prominence to rub against its attachment point resulting in overextension which in turn causes frictional, leading to microtears causing micro-tourn as its attachment point to rubs overused cause further over use or overuse that eventually leading to rub against said outer boney prominence of which causes it attacheanus epicondyle eventually leading to become overused by rub against its own lateral epicondyle attachment, micro tears within its tendethus attachment points attached. Repetacudyle and cause micro tears and inflammation caused lateral epicondyle which attachev causing micro tears within its tends lateral epicondle; eventually leading to micro tears inside with its attachment causing micro tears at its attachment point leading to eventual micro-to tears upon attachment point creating micro tear between its tends connecting to bone prominence creating micro tears on which makes use causes inflammation rubbing against it can then lateral epicondle which attaching against it producing micro tear through micro-thus.
As time progresses, the pain tends to worsen, restricting mobility and leading to reduced grip strength. It may make turning doorknobs or holding a cup of coffee difficult or impossible. Left untreated, this pain could worsen into something constant enough that it interferes with daily living activities and disrupt daily living habits.
As tennis elbow can recur, it is possible to take steps to prevent or limit its symptoms. These strategies are simple and can have an enormously positive effect on how you live your life.
Along with stretching and rest, another treatment option might include using a forearm clasp brace which compresses muscles just below the source of pain to help reduce inflammation and lower frequency. While evidence for its efficacy varies among cases, so before making this decision it is advisable to speak to your physician first.
Warm-ups and icing alone won’t do, though: in addition to these treatments you should also avoid activities that strain the muscles around your elbow. Proper technique should always be practiced when playing any sport involving racquets; it is especially essential in racquet sports. A physiotherapist can assist in correcting your technique as well as teaching how to effectively use the muscles in your forearms; they may even suggest ways of altering daily habits that won’t overexert these areas.
Resting
Tennis elbow occurs when repeated strain on forearm muscles and tendons leads to inflammation in the outermost part of the elbow joint (lateral epicondyle). Not only tennis players experience this painful condition; people engaging in forearm-intensive pursuits like painting, carpentry, gardening or woodworking or repetitive computer mouse use may be susceptible to acute tennis elbow. Luckily, this form of injury can often be avoided.
Rest is the cornerstone of treating tennis elbow. Rest will help heal any tears in the tendon attachment and ease any associated pain, possibly meaning temporarily ceasing sports or work activities that exacerbate it. Warming up before participating in physical activities also provides important blood flow benefits that prepare arm muscles for exertion.
Other treatments for forearm tendonitis may include icing, anti-inflammatory medication and soft tissue massages. Your doctor may suggest physical therapy with stretching and strengthening exercises for the shoulder, upper arm and wrist to ease stress on forearm tendons and prevent further damage.
Steroid injections into the lateral epicondyle may temporarily ease discomfort for some patients. Your doctor may also suggest platelet-rich plasma injections, which involve isolating concentrated healing cells from your blood and injecting them directly into affected tendons to speed healing time and potentially avoid surgery as a treatment option for tennis elbow.
Your doctor can diagnose tennis elbow by inquiring into its cause and severity, testing your range of motion in your arm, and asking about any symptoms such as tenderness in your forearm. An MRI scan may provide more in-depth details about tendons and soft tissues inside your arm; however, this typically is not necessary to make a proper diagnosis.
Tennis elbow can cause chronic discomfort on the outside of your elbow that makes even simple tasks such as lifting a cup or shaking hands painful. Luckily, most people recover without surgical intervention if they adhere to an effective fitness program and make smart plans in advance to reduce risk and keep forearms healthy so you can continue engaging in your favorite activities.
Exercises
Tennis elbow occurs when overuse or strain leads to inflammation of the tendons that connect with the lateral epicondyle – the bony bump located on the outside of your elbow – as a result. While tennis players are particularly prone to this condition, anyone engaging in repetitive tasks or sports that involve their elbow and arm such as using a hammer for extended periods, painting, playing softball, lifting heavy objects or frequent computer mouse usage could experience this issue as well.
If you suffer from lateral epicondylitis, the ideal treatment strategy is to avoid activities which aggravate symptoms and collaborate with your physician or physical therapist to decrease pain and improve function through stretching, warm up exercises and icing of the elbow/arm. Your therapist may also teach you how to properly stretch and warm up before participating in any physical activities requiring elbow/arm use.
Use of proper body mechanics can also aid in avoiding tennis elbow. An occupational or physical therapist can teach you to lift heavier objects with your legs and back while keeping hands flat and elbows bent – thus relieving strain placed upon wrists and fingers due to straight-on lifting positions.
A therapist can also provide strengthening exercises for your arm and elbow that will strengthen its muscles and tendons, depending on the severity of tennis elbow. You may need to stop participating in sports or activities that could worsen it until it can heal without further aggravating it.
At home, simple exercises can be done to both treat and prevent tennis elbow. Place a rubber band around your thumb and fingers while slightly cupping your hand; spread them apart then back together several times per day for two or three repetitions; this exercise strengthens forearm muscles which reduce stress on tendons.