What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a type of overuse injury that occurs when tendons in the elbow joint become overworked. This condition is also known as lateral epicondylitis and is usually caused due to repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Anyone with a job that demands repetitive hand motions can be affected by tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can cause pain in the elbow extending up to the wrist. This pain is situated basically where the tendons of the forearm muscles meet the bony bump of your elbow.
What causes Tennis Elbow?
- Racket sports are one of the major causes of tennis elbow, hence the name. Since these sports require a person to continuously exert force and strain on the elbow, tennis elbow is common among these players.
- Throwing sports such as shot put, hammer throw, javelin throw, or discus throwing.
- Physical work such as bricklaying, plumbing, carpentry, etc.
- After a certain age risk of developing lateral epicondylitis increases.
What are the symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
Though pain is one of the main symptoms of tennis elbow, one has to know which regions are first affected by this pain.
- Tingling sensation outside of the upper forearm
- Pain just below the elbow
- Pain while lifting or bending arm
- Pain while gripping or writing
- Pain while twisting forearm
- Stiffness in the arm muscles
Tennis Elbow Treatment Products
Treatment for tennis elbow includes a combination of orthopedic supports and pain relief options. While one protects, supports, and treats the elbow, the latter allows a decrease in the degree of discomfort and pain.
- Orthopedic Supports – Elbow supports are the most popular and effective treatment and prevention measure to manage tennis elbow. These supports are designed to create a supportive structure for the elbow joint and provide the affected area with mild compression, as well as a stress base to absorb the force exerted on the elbow. Other orthopedic treatment options include elbow splints, elbow protectors, elbow braces, and elbow pads. All these orthopedic aids are considered efficient in offering comfort and curing lateral epicondylitis.
- Pain Relief – Excruciating elbow pain perturbs the quality of life. Dealing with pain becomes easier if you know the whats, whys, and how of pain relief. Usually, doctors recommend the use of topical ointments such as lotions and creams to treat the pain in the muscles and the joint. One can also use rehab therapies such as hot and cold therapy, electrotherapy, massage therapy, or exercise therapy to strengthen the muscles, relieve pain, and reduce any inflammation.
How to cure Tennis Elbow?
- The first step to control the pain of the tennis elbow or begin treating it is to stop the activity that has been the cause of the condition.
- Wear elbow supports while playing a racket sport, or executing a repetitive action that engages the elbow to prevent continuous stress
- Use appropriate gear or tools while working to avoid complications with the elbow.
Tennis Elbow Exercises
Prevention - How to prevent Tennis Elbow?
Lateral Epicondylitis can be prevented in many ways, few are:
- Use the right equipment and proper technique to avoid sports injury.
- Perform simple wrist flexion and extension exercises for tennis elbow.
- Use an ice pack on the elbow after doing any intense physical activity
- Take breaks and rest your elbow between matches or tasks
Where to buy Tennis Elbow Braces and Splints?
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More Information on Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
FAQ's
Frequently asked questions
Tennis elbow is an inflammation or injury of tendons and muscles around the elbow as a result of overuse. This type of injury is very common in tennis players or anyone who uses their forearms repetitively especially by motions that apply force repeatedly are at the risk of developing tennis elbow.
Common symptoms of tennis elbow are:
- Pain or burning on the outer, bony part of the elbow
- Elbow stiffness and aching, especially after periods of rest
- Pain in the forearm
- Pain when gripping an object
- Weakness and reduced grip strength
Treatment for tennis elbow includes activity modification to prevent repetitive motion, rest, OTC pain medications, topical pain relievers, Elbow supports and wraps, and physical therapy.
Tennis elbow can be acute or chronic. In Acute tennis elbow the pain lasts for less than three months. In this stage the treatment aims to reduce inflammation. Usually the pain subsides in less than a week. In Chronic Tennis Elbow the pain lasts for more than 3 months and even upto 6 months.
Tennis elbow can be acute or chronic. In Acute tennis elbow the pain lasts for less than three months. In this stage the treatment aims to reduce inflammation. Usually the pain subsides in less than a week. In Chronic Tennis Elbow the pain lasts for more than 3 months and even upto 6 months.
In order to prevent tennis elbow you must follow the enlisted precautions:
- Adopting proper loading mechanics
- Proper techniques while playing sports
- Proper strengthening in wrist extensors
- Progressive return back to sports like tennis after an injury
