What Is Tennis Elbow and How Can You Treat It?

A comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about tennis elbow – from symptoms and causes to diagnosis and treatment options.

Introduction

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain in the elbow and upper arm. It is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm. Tennis elbow is most common in adults aged 40-60 years, but it can occur at any age. The condition is more common in men than women.

There are several treatment options available for tennis elbow. These include rest, ice, physical therapy, and surgery. Surgery is only recommended in severe cases that do not respond to other treatments.

Tennis elbow can be a debilitating condition that causes pain and limits your ability to use your arm. However, with proper treatment, most people with tennis elbow will make a full recovery and be able to return to their normal activities.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. The pain is usually worse when you lift your arm or grip something. It can also be painful to straighten your arm. Tennis elbow is caused by overusing the muscles and tendons in your forearm.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

The most common symptom of tennis elbow is an aching pain on the outside of your elbow. This pain can spread into your forearm and wrist. You might also feel the pain when you:

– grip an object
– lift something
– extend your arm
– twist your arm
You might feel the pain:

– all the time, even when you’re not using your arm
– when you wake up in the morning
– when you use your arm more during the day
The pain might get worse:

– when using a computer mouse or keyboard a lot
– when playing racquet sports, such as tennis or squash

Tennis elbow is usually worse when you grip an object, such as a tennis racket, or extend your arm.

Causes of Tennis Elbow

There are a number of different causes of tennis elbow, but the most common is repetitive stress on the forearm muscles and tendons. This can happen from activities that require repetitive motion of the arm, such as tennis, racquetball, baseball, weightlifting, and carpentry. Other causes include direct trauma to the elbow or overuse of the elbow joint.

Tennis elbow is most common in people between the ages of 30 and 50, and it is more common in men than women. People who play tennis or other racquet sports are at a higher risk for developing tennis elbow, as are people who participate in other activities that involve repetitive arm motions, such as pitching or painting. People who have jobs that require them to use their arms extensively in repetitive motions are also at a higher risk.

Treating Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. The pain is usually worse when you:

Rest

One of the best things you can do for tennis elbow is to simply rest the arm and give the injured tendon time to heal. This may mean taking a break from playing tennis or other activities that put stress on the arm. You may need to wear a sling or splint to immobilize your arm and give the tendon a chance to rest. In severe cases, you may need surgery to remove damaged tissue and allow the tendon to heal properly.

Other treatments for tennis elbow include:

-ICE: Applying ice several times a day can help reduce pain and inflammation.

-MEDICATIONS: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may be recommended to help reduce pain and inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger medications if over-the-counter options are not effective.

-EXERCISES: Physical therapy exercises may be recommended to improve flexibility and strength in the elbow, forearm, and shoulder muscles. A therapist can also teach you how to properly use these muscles to avoid further injury.

-INJECTIONS: Corticosteroid injections into the affected area may be recommended in some cases. These injections can help reduce pain and inflammation.

Ice

If you have recently injured your elbow, it is important to ice the area as soon as possible. Ice helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. Apply ice to your elbow for 20 minutes at a time, several times per day. You can use a bag of frozen peas or corn, wrapped in a towel, or you can purchase a special ice pack from a pharmacy.

If you have chronic tennis elbow, you may also benefit from ice therapy. Again, apply ice for 20 minutes at a time, several times per day. Ice therapy can help to reduce pain and inflammation.

Compression

One of the most effective ways to treat tennis elbow is with compression. This can be done with a compression sleeve, wrap, or badge. The compression helps to reduce swelling and support the muscles and tendons around the elbow joint. It is important to not wrap the elbow too tightly as this can cause more pain. The compression should be snug but not binding.

Elevation

One of the most effective treatments for tennis elbow is elevation. This involves elevating the arm above heart level to reduce swelling. For example, you could lie on your back with your arm supported on a pillow or cushion. You should do this for at least 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.

Surgery for Tennis Elbow

Some people with tennis elbow may need surgery to relieve pain from the condition. Surgery may be an option if other treatments haven’t worked or if your elbow pain is severe.

There are two main types of surgery for tennis elbow:

1. release of the forearm extensor muscles: The surgeon cuts the muscles and tendons that are pulling on the bone in your elbow, relieving the pressure and pain.

2. repair of the forearm extensor muscles: The surgeon reattaches the muscles and tendons to the bone in your elbow, which helps to relieve pain and pressure on the bone.

Prevention

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. The pain is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm. It is a common injury that can occur in anyone who frequently uses their arm for overhead activity, such as tennis or painting. Treatment for tennis elbow includes rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication.

Wrist and forearm stretches

One of the best things you can do to prevent tennis elbow is to stretch and strengthen the muscles in your forearm. Try these simple stretches and exercises:

Wrist extension: With your palm facing down, use your other hand to bend your wrist back as far as you can. Hold for at least 15 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
Wrist flexion: With your palm facing up, use your other hand to bend your wrist back as far as you can. Hold for at least 15 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
Elbow extension: Standing up straight, extend one arm out in front of you with your palm facing down. Use your other hand to gently pull back on your extended fingers until you feel a stretch in the back of your arm. Hold for at least 15 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
Elbow flexion: Standing up straight, extend one arm out in front of you with your palm facing up. Use your other hand to gently pull back on your extended fingers until you feel a stretch in the front of your arm. Hold for at least 15 seconds. Repeat 3 times

Wrist and forearm strengthening exercises

To help prevent tennis elbow, it is important to keep the muscles and tendons in your forearm and elbow strong and flexible. The following exercises can help:

Wrist curls: Sit with your forearm resting on your thigh. Use your other hand to hold a light weight. Slowly curl your wrist up, then release and lower back down. Repeat 10 times.

Wrist extensions: Sit with your forearm resting on your thigh. Use your other hand to hold a light weight. Slowly extend your wrist up, then release and lower back down. Repeat 10 times.

Finger bends: Hold your hand out in front of you with the palm facing up. Use your other hand to gently bend each finger down, then release back to the starting position. Repeat 10 times for each finger.

Elbow bends: Hold your arm out in front of you with the palm facing up and the elbow bent at 90 degrees. Use your other hand to gently push the back of the hand down, then release back to the starting position. Repeat 10 times.

Use of an elbow brace

An elbow brace is one of the most effective treatments for tennis elbow. It is a simple device that straps around your arm just above the elbow and puts gentle pressure on the muscles and tendons that are causing you pain.

The brace will not cure your tennis elbow, but it will help to relieve the pain and allow you to continue using your arm while it heals. You should wear the brace as much as possible during the day, especially when you are doing activities that are likely to aggravate your injury, such as gardening or housework.

You can buy an elbow brace from most pharmacies and supermarkets. If you have any difficulty putting it on, or if it is uncomfortable, please see your doctor or physiotherapist for help.