Tennis Elbow: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Contents

In this article we will look at:

• What is Tennis Elbow?
• How does Tennis Elbow Occur?
• Who is Prone to Tennis Elbow?
• What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow? How is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?
• What are the Complications of Tennis Elbow?
• What is the Treatment for Tennis Elbow?

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What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis Elbow also goes by the name “Lateral Epicondylitis.” It is usually a painful condition that happens when the tendons located in the elbow become overloaded –generally through repetitive motions of the arms and wrists. Given the name, Tennis Elbow is not just restricted to the athletes and might happen to a wide range of individuals subjected to repetitive motions of the arms & wrists. As such, Tennis Elbow is quite common among individuals including athletes, painters, carpenters, butchers, and plumbers.

The symptoms of Tennis Elbow pain usually occur at the location wherein the tendons of the forearm muscles get attached to the bony bump located outside the elbow. The pain associated with Tennis Elbow could also spread to the wrist and the entire forearm. The pain can be usually felt while straightening or extending one’s arm fully.

How does Tennis Elbow Occur?

The tendon is the muscle part that attaches it to the surrounding bone. The forearm tendons of the body are responsible for attaching the forearm muscles to the bone located outer to the elbow. The condition of Tennis Elbow usually occurs when some specific muscle located in the forearm –the ECRB (Extensor Capri Radialis Brevis) muscle –gets damaged. The ECRB muscle helps in extending or raising the wrist & the forearm.

Repetitive movements or stress can damage the ECRB muscles of the forearm. This could lead to the formation of extremely minute tears in the tendons of the ECRB muscles at the point where the tendons attach themselves to the elbow’s outer regions. The tears that are caused could lead to pain & inflammation. 

The signs of Tennis Elbow could be triggered by any external activity involving repetitive twisting & turning of the wrists. Such activities might include:

• Swimming
• Playing tennis or other similar racquet sports
• Turning keys
• Golfing
• Frequently making use of hammers, screwdrivers, or computer system

Who is Prone to Tennis Elbow?

Anyone who is involved in vigorous, repetitive actions of the wrists including its turning, twisting and continuous movements could develop the signs of Tennis Elbow. 

What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow? How is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?

The symptoms of Tennis Elbow pain might vary depending on the frequency and degree of damage done to the tendons located in the wrist. The pain of Tennis Elbow might also radiate from the outside of the elbow to the wrist & forearm. The common signs and symptoms of Tennis Elbow might include:

• Mild pain in the elbow that might gradually become worse
• Pain that extends from the outside of the elbow at first, going down to the wrist and forearm
• A weakened grip
• Increased or shooting pain while squeezing some object or shaking hands
• Increased pain while opening jars, lifting heavy objects, or using some tools

If the self-care tips of the Tennis Elbow symptoms might not lessen the pain associated with the condition, then you must consult your doctor in the first place.

Diagnosis

The condition of Tennis Elbow is usually diagnosed during a specific physical examination by your physician. The doctor might ask about your profession –whether you are into sports –and how you developed the Tennis Elbow symptoms. The doctor might then perform specific physical tests to make the diagnosis. The doctor might apply some pressure on the location where the tendon attaches itself to the bones of the forearm to check for any pain or discomfort. When the elbow is kept straight, and the wrist is turned or flexed, you might feel pain from the outer end of the elbow while extending the wrist. 

The doctor might also conduct some imaging tests including X-rays & MRI scans.

What are the Complications of Tennis Elbow?

• Difficulty in the movement of the wrist & forearms
• Persistent pain in the elbows
• Difficult while doing certain tasks including lifting heavy objects or twisting the arms

What is the Treatment for Tennis Elbow?

The Tennis Elbow symptoms and treatment options might depend on the level of pain and damage done to the tendons in the elbows. Around 85 to 90 percent of the Tennis Elbow might be treated effectively without the involvement of any surgery. Here are some possibilities:

• Physical Therapy including massages, arm exercises, and muscle-stimulating exercises.
• Ultrasound therapy in which an ultrasound probe emits high-frequency sound waves to the muscles that help in reducing the inflammation & relieving pain.
• Steroid injections upon doctor’s prescription that can help in reducing the inflammation.
• Shock wave therapy that transmits sound waves to the affected region promoting the self-healing process of the body.