The Ugly Truth About Tennis Elbow (And How To Treat It)
Tennis elbow is an overuse injury affecting the muscles which extend your wrist and attach to the outer part of your elbow.
You don't have to play tennis or racquet sports to suffer from tennis elbow - it affects mostly the working age population, especially those who have to use those particular muscles a lot - for example those who frequently use a mouse or a keyboard, or grip objects like a barbell at the gym.
The ugly truth about tennis elbow is this: unfortunately, rest will generally not make it better, AND it can take a long time to heal.
In fact, a recent literature review (linked below) suggests that in some cases it can have a duration of one to two years!
The pain that is experienced with tennis elbow is generally on the outer side of your elbow and can refer down the forearm. This pain can vary in its frequency, but normally is worse with increased use of the muscles that extend the wrist.
Like some other tendon injuries, experiencing some stiffness in the morning is also common, as well as experiencing a poorer grip strength on the affected side.
Physical therapy treatment for tennis elbow should focus initially on reducing pain (this may include a period of relative rest, and some hands-on therapy like massage, dry needling etc) before gradually increasing strength with an individualised exercise program.
Steroid injections and tennis elbow surgery are rarely required should only be considered as a last resort, cases where the condition is really interfering with day-to-day life.
What is the fastest way to cure tennis elbow?
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the elbow. The condition is typically caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm, leading to microtears. While tennis elbow can be difficult to treat, there are a few things you can do to speed up the healing process.
First, it is important to rest the affected arm and avoid any activities that may aggravate the condition. Tennis Elbow is often caused by repetitive motions, such as those involved in playing tennis. If these aggravating activities are continued, the condition may worsen and require treatment. By avoiding activities that aggravate the condition, people with tennis elbow can help to improve their symptoms and prevent the condition from worsening.
Ice can also be helpful in reducing inflammation and pain associated with lateral epicondylitis. By numbing the area, ice reduces nerve activity and provides temporary relief from pain. In addition, ice helps to reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels. Applying ice to the affected area for fifteen minutes several times a day can help to ease the pain of tennis elbow and speed up the healing process.
In addition, physical therapy exercises may be recommended to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons around the elbow.
Will Tennis Elbow Fix Itself?
If you've ever suffered from tennis elbow, you know just how painful and debilitating it can be. The good news is that, in most cases, tennis elbow will eventually fix itself. However, the bad news is that the healing process can take several months.
One reason is that the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outside of your elbow, is not very well-connected to the surrounding muscles and tendons. This means that blood flow to the area is poor, and therefore it takes longer for the tissue to repair itself. In addition, the lateral epicondyle is constantly being used whenever we use our the muscles in our forearm, which makes it difficult for the tissue to rest and heal.
Finally, lateral epicondylitis often occurs as a result of repetitive motions that stress the forearm muscles and tendons. This type of injury is known as an overuse injury, and it can take a long time for the tissue to recover from the repeated stress.
What is the main cause of tennis elbow?
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition that causes elbow pain and inflammation in the elbow. The main cause of tennis elbow is overuse of the forearm extensors. This can occur from repetitive motions, such as hitting a tennis ball or using a screwdriver. Other risk factors include age, joint problems, and prior injuries.
Anatomy of Tennis Elbow
The lateral epicondyle of the elbow is a bony protrusion on the outer side of the elbow joint. It's the point where the muscles in the forearm and tendons attach to the bone. The two main muscles that attach here are the brachioradialis and the extensor carpi radialis longus. The brachioradialis is a muscle that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. It's responsible for bending the forearm at the elbow joint. The extensor carpi radialis longus is a muscle that runs from the elbow to the hand. It's responsible for extending (straightening) the wrist and fingers. Both of these muscles are important for activities such as lifting and carrying objects. The tendons that attach these muscles to the lateral epicondyle can become irritated and inflamed from overuse. This leads to pain and stiffness in the elbow.
How is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?
Tennis elbow is usually diagnosed based on a person's symptoms and medical history. A physical examination may also be performed to check for tenderness or weakness in the forearm muscles. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, ultrasound or MRI, are not usually needed. However, they may be ordered if there is concern about another condition, such as a bone fracture.
How Can I Prevent Tennis Elbow?
To help prevent tennis elbow, it is important to warm up before participating in any activities that may stress the forearm muscles. In addition, be sure to use proper technique when performing any activity that may put strain on the forearm. If you begin to experience pain, stop the activity and rest the affected arm. If the pain persists, be sure to see a doctor for further evaluation.
How to Treat Lateral Epicondylitis For Good
Eccentric strengthening is a type of exercise that can help to strengthen the muscles involved and to treat tennis elbow. To do this type of exercise, you need to slowly lower your arm back down after lifting it up. This helps to work the muscles in your forearm and elbow, which can help to prevent tennis elbow. You can do eccentric strengthening exercises with a resistance band or a dumbbell. Start by doing 3 sets of 10 repetitions. As you get stronger, you can increase the number of repetitions and sets. Eccentric strengthening is a great way to prevent tennis elbow and keep your arms strong and healthy.
Tennis elbow can be a difficult injury to manage, but with the help of a physical therapist you can start to see improvement. The goal of treatment is to settle symptoms in the early stages, followed by progressive strengthening of the muscles. If your symptoms persist or worsen, please consult with your doctor for further evaluation and treatment. Have you been dealing with tennis elbow? What has been your experience with treatment?
References:
Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow
