You must be wondering what tennis elbow is. You may imagine it being someone with an elbow shaped like a racquet or even with the forearms of Roger Federer, or maybe an injury suffered by tennis players. Do not go that far with your imaginations. Let us find out what it really is.
Tennis elbow which is also medically called lateral epicondylitis occurs when the outer part of the elbow becomes soft and sore at the lateral epicondyle. It results due to the overuse of the forearms and tendons leading to their damage. This damage causes soreness, pain as well as tenderness on the outer part of the elbow.
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is caused by partaking in activities that involves the continuous or repetitive use of the extensor muscles of the forearm. This activities include
I. Tennis, golf, or other sports that involve swinging.
II. Swimming
III. Frequent use of hammers, screws, laptops or computer etc.
This frequent repetitive use and overexertion of the forearm and elbow from these activities leads to the damage of the extensor carpi radials brevis muscle (ECRB) which helps in raising the wrist.
Other causes include the sudden and forceful pull of the elbow or a direct blow to the epicondyle.
Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow has the following signs and symptoms
I. Severe pain on the outer part of the elbow
II. Feeling of pain when making gripping or twisting movements with wrist.
III. Tenderness of the lateral epicondyle
IV. Feeling of pain when trying to lift or open something.
Treatment of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow treatment has proven to be successful in most cases, although it was poor before 2010.
Sometimes there may not be need for tennis elbow treatment as it may fade away without treatment, however if left untreated it may lead to chronic pain and you sure wont like that.
The following are required for tennis elbow treatment:
- Adequate Rest: It is required that one should rest adequately after such injury. It is not right to continue to stress yourself after such. This is the first step to full recovery.
- Use of Steroid injection
- Use of ice packs to relieve pain and inflammation
- Shock wave therapy
- Injection of platelet rich plasma
- Ultrasound Therapy
- Physical therapy which involves the use of various exercises aimed at strengthening the forearm muscles and relieving pain as well as aiding recovery.
- Use of aspirin or ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory and pain relieving drugs.
- Surgery: if all the above do not produce required results and the pain remains after so long a time, surgery may be required for tennis elbow treatment.
How to Prevent the Occurrence of Tennis Elbow
More than tennis elbow treatment, it is important to know how to prevent it from occurring. To prevent it, the following steps should be taken:
- Perform or partake in exercises that enhance the strength of your forearm, elbow and wrists.
- Placing ice on your elbows after performing activities in which they have been used repetitively.
- Usage of the proper equipment’s for sports.
- Eating of the right balance of food and fruits that help to strengthen muscles and tissue development.
- Avoid gripping tightly or overusing the wrist.