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Tennis Elbow
(Lateral Epicondylitis) |
A common
diagnosis seen in our
clinics is tennis
elbow. Tennis elbow is
soreness or pain on the
outer part of the elbow.
It happens when you
damage the
tendons that
connect the muscles of
your forearm to your
elbow. The pain may
spread down your arm to
your wrist. If you don't
treat the injury, it may
hurt to do simple things
like turn a key or open
a door. Many patients
will say "How did I get
this? I do not even play
tennis!" More often than
not people who present
with this condition do
not play any sports at
all. Usually the injury
occurs from overuse of
the muscles on the outer
part of the forearm that
control wrist motion.
Activities or jobs that
require repetitive
twisting, grabbing, or
lifting are usually to
blame.  The
extensor muscle group
controls movements of
the wrist and hand
upwards and rotation of
the hand(palm) upward.
Tennis elbow
is usually diagnosed
by the description
of pain you provide
to your doctor and
certain findings
from a physical
exam. Your doctor
will help to
determine if your
pain is due to
tennis elbow and
prescribe the
appropriate
treatment. He or she
may recommend a
cortisone injection
and physical
therapy. Rarely is
surgery necessary.
Physical therapy
treatments may
include modalities
to help control pain
and inflammation,
such as heat, ice,
ultrasound, or a
type of electric
stimulation called
iontophoresis.
Manual therapy
techniques to help
the damaged tissue
heal properly should
also be included in
the plan of care.
Early gentle
stretching of the
affected muscles is
encouraged and
progression to
strengthening
exercises will begin
as the tissue heals.
You may be
encouraged to use a
"tennis elbow" brace
early on to allow
you to perform daily
activities with less
pain and stress on
healing tissue.
Gradually you will
be weaned from this
brace (see picture
below). 
Typically, after a
few weeks you will
be able to resume
all normal
work/recreation
activities.
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attn. Kevin
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As
long as this
pain does not
increase with
repetition
continue the
exercise. As you
tolerate stretch
more, hold for
up to 20 seconds
and repeat 6-8
times 3-4 times
per day.
