Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition that causes pain and tenderness in the outer part of the elbow. Despite its name, tennis elbow can affect anyone who performs repetitive arm movements, not just tennis players. If you're experiencing elbow pain, it's important to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available to you.
Tennis elbow is caused by repeated arm movements that strain the muscles and tendons in your forearm. Over time, these repetitive motions can cause microscopic tears in the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow. Some common activities that can lead to tennis elbow include:
Tennis, racquetball, and other racket sports
Weightlifting and other strength training exercises
Carpentry, painting, and other manual labor jobs
Typing, knitting, and other repetitive hand movements
The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness on the outside of your elbow, where the injured tendons connect to the bone. You may also experience pain that radiates into your upper or lower arm, and you can have tennis elbow in both arms. Other common symptoms include:
Pain when lifting objects or gripping things tightly
Pain when opening doors or shaking hands
Pain when raising your hand or straightening your wrist
Weakness in your arm or difficulty moving it
A lump or bulge in your elbow or arm
If you're experiencing elbow pain and tenderness, your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and medical history. They may also order imaging tests such as an MRI, X-ray, or electromyography to rule out other conditions and assess the extent of the damage to your tendons.
Most cases of tennis elbow can be treated without surgery. The first step is to rest your arm and avoid activities that cause pain. Other non-surgical treatment options include:
Icing your elbow for 15 minutes every 3-4 hours
Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling
Doing physical therapy exercises to stretch and strengthen your arm muscles
Wearing a brace or support to protect your elbow during activities
Getting steroid injections to reduce inflammation in severe cases
If your symptoms don't improve after several months of non-surgical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the damaged tendons. Surgery for tennis elbow is usually done on an outpatient basis and involves making small incisions in your elbow to remove damaged tissue and reattach healthy tendons to the bone.
To reduce your risk of developing tennis elbow, it's important to:
Use proper form and technique when playing sports or doing repetitive activities
Stretch and warm up before exercising or playing sports
Take breaks and avoid overusing your arm
Use equipment that is appropriate for your size and skill level
Strengthen your arm muscles with exercises recommended by a physical therapist
If you do develop tennis elbow, be patient with the healing process and don't push yourself too hard too soon. With proper rest and treatment, most people recover fully from tennis elbow within a few months to a year.
For more information on tennis elbow causes, symptoms, and treatment options, check out these reputable sources:
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