Do you experience pain on the outside of your elbow when you straighten your arm? If so, you may have “tennis elbow”. Don’t play tennis? You don’t have to. Tennis elbow is a result of repetitive motion that eventually strains the tendons and muscles around the outside of the elbow. It’s painful and inconvenient, but, fortunately, is very treatable.
Lateral Epicondylitis or tennis elbow is a condition that affects the elbow from overuse of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles. Injury usually comes on gradually, but it can occur suddenly from trauma or an accident. Either way, tennis elbow effects the muscles and tendons in the forearm that connect to the outside bony area of the elbow. It usually affects the dominant arm, since that arm naturally gets used more. So, if you’re right handed, it’s probably the right elbow that will experience pain, and if you’re a lefty, it’s most likely your left elbow that’s crying the blues.
Guys tend to get tennis elbow more than women, and those who are most susceptible are typically tennis and racquetball players, weight lifters, golfers, baseball players, bowlers, and other athletes who use their hands and arms repetitively, in addition to anyone doing recurring motion like a carpenter or house cleaner who tightly grip objects like a hammer or vacuum cleaner. The truth is more people suffer with tennis elbow that don’t play tennis than do.
Many conditions can cause elbow pain, but this particular pain is very unique and distinct to lateral epicondylitis, making a diagnosis very easy. Pain typically presents when shaking hands, squeezing something with a clenched fist, opening jars, brushing teeth, and any time the wrist is moved with force as it is during lifting and carrying and many other activities – flipping pancakes, turning a door knob or key, etc. So, if your elbow hurts during these types of movements, it’s safe to assume you’ve got tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow normally requires professional treatment from a doctor or physical therapist in order to correct the problem. Treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and pain, while decreasing activities that cause stress to the elbow. Further Reading:
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Often, cortisone injections and other anti-inflammatories, both oral and topical, are used. However, resting the tendons with the use of a forearm brace is very effective, as well, yet recovery may take a bit longer. The correct stretching exercises are also very beneficial, with correct being the keyword. And don’t forget the ice. Applying ice to the affected area should reduce pain and inflammation. Combined therapies are usually used, with elimination of the repetitive motion being the most vital for recovery.
It’s not always possible to stop the movement, especially when it’s job related; however, measures can be taken to avoid future tennis elbow occurrences. Braces can be worn whenever support is necessary, and the use of hands and arms can be rotated in an attempt to reduce the load on the dominant elbow. Make sure to use proper techniques and equipment when doing the offending activity, or any movement that causes stress. Time, patience, and smarts are needed when recovering from this condition.
The majority of people do recover with proper treatment, and the few who don’t may need surgery. Surgery is very effective and normally results with the return of full use of the arm without discomfort. Recovering from tennis elbow without the help of a medical professional is possible, and if this is the route you choose, be sure to do your homework and find out what needs to be done for healing success. Tennis elbow is not a major problem, but it is one that makes everyday life difficult. As always, address the issue sooner than later, and in no time you’ll be swinging a racquet again… with your other arm!
by Aaron Marino
