Tennis Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis (often referred to as "tennis elbow"), is an inflammation of one or more of the tissues (tendons, ligaments, or nerves) in the lateral (outer) side of the elbow and forearm. This condition occurs when the hand and wrist extensor muscles are overused and causes tenderness, pain, and swelling in the elbow and forearm. Lateral epicondylitis is one of several overuse injuries that can affect your elbow, may develop for no obvious reason, and can be caused by activities other than tennis where unaccustomed strenuous activity involves the arm and hand.
The pain of lateral epicondylitis occurs primarily where the tendons of your forearm muscles attach to the bony prominence on the outside of your elbow (lateral epicondyle). Pain can also spread into your forearm and wrist. Pain is worse with activities that include gripping and bending the wrist upward. This condition is similar to golfer’s elbow, but golfer’s elbow occurs on the inside—rather than on the outside—of your elbow.
Symptoms
The symptoms of tennis elbow include:
- Severe, burning pain radiating from outside of your elbow to your forearm and wrist
- Pain when you extend your wrist or touch or bump the outside of your elbow, gradually worsening over weeks or months
- Discomfort from lifting even very light objects
- A weak or painful grip during certain activities, such as turning a doorknob
SSPT’s approach to treating tennis elbow
SSPT’s approach to treating tennis elbow focuses on minimizing inflammation and irritation to the involved tendon. Your treatment may include:
- Custom splinting of the wrist
- Counterforce brace to decrease forceful motions of the forearm muscles
- Education on activity modification and body mechanics
- Therapeutic modalities to relieve inflammation and pain
- Therapeutic techniques to minimize scar formation
- Exercises to gradually strengthen and recondition the involved muscles
