The Sports Injury Company thought we would take a look at Tennis Elbow

With more and more Park Club members taking part in tennis at the Club, The Sports Injury Company thought we would take a look at one of the many (but probably most talked about) conditions that may affect a Tennis athlete: Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer side of the elbow because of tiny injuries causing inflammation of the tendons around the elbow. In many people, symptoms improve over time just by stopping activities that bring on the symptoms. Painkillers or anti-inflammatories may help ease the pain until the condition improves. A steroid injection may also ease pain in the short term, however the pain often returns. Physiotherapy is a good treatment option.

Symptoms

Tennis elbow causes pain on the outer side of the elbow. The medical term is Lateral Epicondylitis, this is because the pain is felt around the area of the Lateral Epicondyle (the lower, outer, bumpy part of the bone in your upper arm).

For most people with Tennis Elbow, the pain only occurs when they use their forearm and wrist, particularly for twisting movements such as turning a door handle or opening a jar. However for some people the pain is constant, it occurs at rest and can affect their sleep. The pain may travel from their elbow to their wrist, making it difficult to hold items such as a knife and fork or cup, or to straighten their arm fully.

Causes

The site of the pain in tennis elbow is where some tendons from your forearm muscles attach to the bone around your elbow. The pain is due to an injury, or several tiny injuries, to one or more of these tendons. An injury can cause a tiny tear to a tendon and lead to inflammation and scarring of the tendon.

Injuries are usually caused by overuse of the forearm in repetitive, twisting actions done over a long period of time (like tennis), and usually affects a persons dominant arm.

Who gets Tennis Elbow?

Tennis Elbow mainly affects people between the ages of 35 and 55 and affects men and women equally. It is most likely to occur if forearm muscles are unfit. For example if you suddenly play a lot of tennis, or a lot of heavy forearm work (gardening/DIY etc) then symptoms may occur. In rare cases the condition may occur for no apparent reason and without any prior overuse or injury to the arm.

How is Tennis Elbow diagnosed?

Obvious pain in the outside of the elbow. A physiotherapist may put you through specific tests to confirm the condition.

Pain Relief

Ice packs (2-3 times a day for 10-15 minutes at a time) and anti-inflammatory painkillers (ibuprofen) or gels are a good way to get some relief from pain and begin the healing process.

Treatment

Physiotherapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of Tennis Elbow. Your Physiotherapist may use techniques such as manual therapy (massage), laser therapy and ultrasound therapy as well as rehabilitation exercises to treat the condition.Physiotherapy has in studies been shown to be more effective than a steroid injection in the long term treatment of Tennis Elbow.

Prognosis for Tennis Elbow

If the arm is rested, and the activities that caused the condition are avoided (along with ice treatment and anti-inflammatories) then Tennis Elbow will usually improve. Pain usually lasts from 6-12 weeks (but can vary in some people from 3 weeks to 2 years). Longer recovery is normally due to patients not going through the proper rehabilitation process ( Ice - Anti-inflammatories - Rest - Physiotherapy - Rehabilitation).

Can Tennis Elbow be prevented?

Sudden overuse of the arm is sometimes difficult to avoid (can be a cause of Tennis Elbow). However increasing the strength of forearm muscles may help to prevent Tennis Elbow in the future. The aim is to strengthen the muscles but to avoid twisting movements. It is a good idea to seek advice from a Physiotherapist on how to strengthen your forearm muscles.

If Tennis elbow has been brought on by playing a racquet sport, then it may be a good idea to seek advice from your Tennis Professional on technique, grip or racquet size etc.

If you or someone you know is suffering with Tennis Elbow and would like further advice and treatment on this or other injuries, The Sports Injury Company is available 7 days a week at The Park Club. Don't put up with pain and risk more long term damage to your health & fitness, contact us now for help and advice.

www.thesportsinjurycompany.co.uk

For Physiotherapy contact Damien on 07704 545 679

For Sports Massage contact Richard on 07931 790 552