Tennis Elbow - Causes and Cures

You must have heard many times that so and so sports man is suffering from tennis elbow. But have you ever thought what tennis elbow exactly is? Let’s find out.

Tennis elbow also known as lateral epicondylitis is a condition where outer part of elbow becomes sore and tender, causing inflammation, or pain on the lateral side of arm on the elbow region. It’s name "tennis elbow" suggests a strong link to racquet sports, but this condition can also be caused by sports such as swimming and climbing, the work of manual workers and waiters, as well as activities of daily living.

It is an overuse injury occurring on the later side of the elbow region, at the common extensor tendon that originates from the lateral epicondyle. Common sign and symptoms of Tennis elbow are:

• Pain on the outer part of elbow or lateral epicondyle.
• Point tenderness over the lateral epicondyle - a prominent part of the bone on the outside of the elbow.
• Gripping and movements of the wrist hurt, especially wrist extension and lifting movements.
• Activities that use the muscles that extend the wrist like pouring a pitcher or gallon of milk, lifting with the palm down, lifting a bag are characteristically painful.
• Morning stiffness.
• Radiating pain from the outside of your elbow to your forearm and wrist.
• Pain during extension of wrist, weakness of the forearm.
• A painful grip while shaking hands or torquing a doorknob.
• Not being able to hold relatively heavy items in the hand.

Some of these symptoms are similar to other diseases as well and can be mistaken between two. Like the pain caused by Tennis elbow is similar to the pain of the condition known as Golfer's elbow but the latter occurs at the medial side of the elbow. To avoid confusion and before making situation worse contact a rheumatologist, who is a physician dealing mainly with rheumatic problems involving joints, soft tissues, autoimmune diseases, vasculitis and heritable connective tissue disorders. They mostly treat diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, tennis elbow, rheumatic fever and likewise.

The common causes for Tennis elbow are:

• Overuse or repetitive strain caused by repeated extension (bending back) of the wrist against resistance.
• This may be from activities such as tennis, but also in day to day activities.
• A poor backhand technique in tennis.
• A racket grip that is too small or Strings that is too tight.
• Playing with wet, heavy balls.
• Repetitive activities such as using a screwdriver, painting or typing.

Only a good rheumatology physician can give you proper advice as they first diagnose the cause of your problem tennis elbow. Concentrating on the specific problem will give better result. General steps suggested or taken by the rheumatological doctor are:

• Applying ice to the elbow regularly will help reduce pain and inflammation if present.
• Rest - an extremely important component in the healing of this injury.
• Wear a brace or support to protect the tendon whilst healing and strengthening, particularly when returning to playing or work.
• Specific exercises are helpful for strengthening the muscles of the forearm.
• If you participate in a racquet sport, your doctor may encourage you to have your equipment checked for proper fit. Stiffer racquets and looser-strung racquets often can reduce the stress on the forearm, which means that the forearm muscles do not have to work as hard.
• Drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen reduce pain and swelling.

If any of these do not work and condition is worse than the physician may advise to go for the surgery.