Tennis Elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis is an injury to the outside tendons and muscles. Refer this article to know the causes of Tennis elbow pain and different exercises for Tennis Elbow Treatment.
Tennis elbow is the common cause of elbow pain and it is also referred as lateral epicondylitis. More than 100 years ago, tennis elbow was first identified by doctors. In the Unites States, 95% of all reported cases alone are not reported by tennis players. Nearly, half of all tennis players will suffer from tennis elbow at some point. This disorder is caused by inflammation of the tendons on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow at a bony fame (lateral epicondyle) of the upper arm. Repeated use of the muscles of the arm and forearm cause a cumulative trauma injury, leading to small tears of the tendons (Tendonitis).
Golfer’s Elbow & Bursitis are additional strain related conditions, which are often mistaken for Tennis Elbow. The risk of developing tennis elbow can be raised with overuse of the forearm muscles and repeated impact as in racket sports. Other factors responsible for developing tennis elbow include lack of strength, poor technique, and more duration or intensity of play. Sometimes, direct injury or impact causes the pain and inflammation of the tendon.
Causes of tennis elbow:
Tennis elbow is often caused by repetitive motion of the wrist; including tennis, hedge clipping, excessive use of a hammer or screwdriver, painting, or any activity that needs excessive constant gripping or squeezing. This may take place due to activities such as tennis, badminton or squash.
Tennis elbow may be caused by:
- Strings that are too tight
- Playing with wet, heavy balls
- Repetitive activities such as using a screwdriver, painting or typing.
In the game of tennis, the following maneuvers can lead to tennis elbow:
- A poor backhand technique in tennis
- A racket grip that is too small
- Snapping and turning the wrist while serving with full power
- A late forehand swing result in bending the wrist significantly
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when the hand is bent back (extended) at the wrist against resistance
- Soreness in the forearm
- Pain about 1-2 cm down from bony area at the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle), usually during or after intense use
- Weakness and stiffness in the wrist with difficulty doing simple tasks such as opening a door handle or shaking hands with someone
- Pain when pressing (palpating), just below the lateral epicondyle on the outside of the elbow
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when trying to straighten the fingers against resistance
Other injuries and conditions with similar symptoms:
- It is important to have the neck examined as well as elbow pain can be referred from problems in this region
- The symptoms for this injury are very similar to entrapment of the radial nerve
- Sudden Onset: Sudden onset of tennis elbow happens in a single instance of exertion for example a late back hand where the extensors of the wrist become stressed. This is thought to communicate to micro-tearing of the tendon.
- Late Onset: This normally occurs within 24-72 hours after an intensive term of unacquainted wrist extension. A tennis player using a new racket or even a person who spent a weekend doing DIY may suffer from tennis elbow as late onset.
Tennis Elbow Treatment:
To treat tennis elbow, no single treatment has been shown to be totally effective but combination of the treatments resolve tennis elbow over time.
Natural home cures for tennis elbow:
- Ice Packs: Apply ice packs over the elbow joint for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. It can decrease pain and swelling around the elbow joint area.
- Rest: Rest is an extremely important component in the healing of this injury.
- Heat Packs: Alternating ice packs with heat packs can console the elbow joint.
- Potato Pack: Warm and baked potatoes can also help to decrease the pain.
- Zostrix: It is a derivative of hot pepper. It can be wrapped around the elbow joint to decrease sensation of pain.
Diet changes:
Omega 3 fatty acids found mainly in fish help to treat arthritic conditions. Intake of Omega 3 supplements can help to decrease the inflammation and pain. Celery is also a good remedy for rheumatism. The fluids can be extracted from seeds and take with hot water before meals. 5-10 drops of fluid with hot water can be advantageous in treating the pain.
Lifestyle Modification:
If tennis elbow does not resolve or if it recurs, then lifestyle modification is important. An improvement in technique can frequently resolve the problem in athletes.
Anti-inflammatory Medications:
To control pain and inflammation, anti-inflammatory medications are often used. The oral intake of these medications is easy and frequently helps to control inflammation and manage pain.
Stroke Mechanics & Racquet:
Tennis racquets should be of proper size. Higher stringing tensions may result in tennis elbow. The risk of developing tennis elbow is also raised by playing on harder surfaces. To make sure patients are hitting the ball in the center of the racquet, stroke mechanics should be evaluated and players should not lead the racquet with a flexed elbow. For a swing and racquet evaluation, consult a tennis pro/instructor.
Cortisone Injections:
A cortisone (steroid) injection is a reasonable option, if these conservative measures fail. If a person has taken more than two cortisone injections without relief, then it is improbable that additional injections will benefit the patient.
Exercises:
For tennis elbow, exercises will help to strengthen weakness so that the elbow is not stressed to recompense. The exercises are also used as a preventive measure. Continuing with exercises will prevent tennis elbow from flattering more chronic. When pain is no longer present or there is very little pain, it signs that exercises can begin. Never start exercise when there is pain, inflammation, or restricted movement from stiffness. Exercising enhances flexibility, staying power, and strength.
- Stretching exercise:
- The stiffness related with tennis elbow will be prevented with controlled stretching. Gently bend, straighten, and rotate the wrist for the exercise purpose.
- Gentle stretching exercise will get better wrist flexion, extension and rotation also. Start with extending the elbow without flexing it to raise the amount of stretch as necessary. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds. This stretching exercise for tennis elbow can be repeated 5-10 times and done at least two times a day. Avoid stretching to the point of pain and reproducing your symptoms.
- Prayer stretch is a simple exercise and to do this, place palms together in front of the chest with fingers together. Fingers should be just under chin. When you suffer a mild stretch under forearms, keep palms together, lower hands towards waist, and stop it. Hold for 20 seconds and repeat 4 times.
Surgery:
Several possible surgical treatments are also successful. Surgery includes removal of a portion of the damaged tendon or releasing the attachment of the affected tendon. Sometimes, a repair of the healthy portion of tendon is carried out as well. Additionally, arthroscopic elbow surgery has become an option for some patients with tennis elbow. About 95 percent of patients with tennis elbow can be treated without surgery. Prior to opting for surgery, a variety of conservation treatments should be tried.
Some suggestions and tips to follow for people with tennis elbow:
- Avoid exerting the elbow joint
- Modify stressful activities
- Avoid repetitive movements
- Exercise regularly
- Employ smooth movement of the elbow
Tennis Elbow Treatment & Exercises For Hand Muscle Strength video from Youtube:
