Description and Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis Or Tennis Elbow

Description and Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis Or Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, despite its sporty name, isn’t exclusive to tennis players. This common condition, also known as lateral epicondylitis, affects the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to your elbow. It’s an overuse injury, often triggered by repetitive motions like gripping, twisting, or lifting.

What Causes It?

While tennis and racquet sports are culprits, any activity involving repetitive wrist and arm movements can lead to tennis elbow. This includes everything from painting and carpentry to typing and even knitting.

Symptoms:

• Pain or burning on the outer part of your elbow
• Weak grip strength
• Pain that worsens with forearm activity

Diagnosis and Treatment:

Doctors usually diagnose tennis elbow based on your symptoms and a physical exam. Treatment typically starts with conservative measures:

• Rest: Avoiding activities that aggravate the pain is crucial.
• Ice: Applying ice packs can help reduce inflammation.
• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can help.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises and stretches can strengthen the forearm muscles and improve flexibility.
• Bracing: Wearing a brace can help rest the muscles and tendons.

In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend:

• Shockwave Therapy: Low Intensity Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment which uses sound waves to stimulate healing.
• Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be needed to repair the damaged tendon.

Prevention:

• Proper Technique: Learn the correct form for activities that involve repetitive arm movements.
• Warm-up and Cool-down: Always warm up before physical activity and cool down afterward.
• Strengthening Exercises: Regular exercises to strengthen your forearm muscles can help prevent tennis elbow.

Remember, early intervention is key. If you experience elbow pain, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. With the right care, most people with tennis elbow recover fully and return to their normal activities.