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| What
Is Tennis Elbow |
| Tennis
elbow is localized pain over the bony prominence called
the lateral epicondyle on the outside of the elbow. It may
also be referred to as lateral epicondylitis. |
| What
Causes It? |
| Tennis
elbow is caused by repetitive stress on the muscles that
are connected to the lateral epicondyle. These muscles extend
along the top, or dorsal, side of the forearm to the wrist
and are responsible for extending or bending back the wrist
and fingers. If too much stress is placed on these muscles,
micro tears can occur. These micro tears become inflamed
and cause pain that is usually localized at the muscle's
origin but can occasionally radiate down the forearm.The
pain increases with activities that require contraction
of these muscles: shaking hands, turning doorknobs, picking
up objects with the palm down, or hitting a backhand in
tennis. |
| How
Do I Know If I Have Tennis Elbow? |
No
special tests are needed to make the diagnosis. This diagnosis
is made by history and physical examination of the patient.
The patient may present symptoms consistent with tennis
elbow and has pain when pressure is applied to the outside
of the elbow. The patient frequently cannot remember an
injury, but will have noticed the pain either at the beginning
or end of inactivity that requires wrist and elbow movement,
X-rays are not always required when evaluating a patient
with tennis elbow symptoms, but a doctor may wish to order
them, just to make certain that the bone structures of the
elbow are normal. |
| How
Is Tennis Elbow Treated? |
 Like
many overuse injuries of sport, there is no sure fire treatment.
Rest itself does not necessarily cure the problem, even
though it may decrease the pain. With use of the elbow again,
however, the pain returns. Some physicians believe that
the key to healing this overuse injury lies in increasing
the circulation to the area while decreasing the tightness
of the muscles. Therefore, stretching and strengthening
exercises are frequently helpful. The following exercise
my help. Support the forearm on a flat surface with the
wrist and hand free. Hold a 1-2 pound weight in the hand.
Keeping the palm down, slowly extend the wrist. Bring it
backward, or up, and then bend it forward, or down. The
muscles on the top of the forearm should contract when the
wrist is moved upward and stretch when the hand is moved
downward.
To balance the forearm muscles, these exercises should be
repeated with the palm facing up. Each exercise should be
repeated ten times slowly. A loop of rubber tubing, with
one end attached to a table leg or held on the floor with
a foot can be used to provide resistance instead of the
weight. This will also increase circulation to the area.
A snug but not tight strap worn around the top of the forearm
often decreases the pull of the muscles on the lateral epicondyle
and lessens pain. When symptoms are present during everyday
activities, the band should be worn during all waking hours.
Occasionally, an elbow sleeve with a pad specially designed
to put gentle pressure on the forearm muscles can be used.
This sleeve has the advantage of not only changing the pull
of the muscles, but keeping them warm as well which increases
their flexibility and circulation.
A physician may also prescribe ultrasound or electrical
stimulation to increase circulation to the area. Nonsteroidal
ant-inflammatory medications, like aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen,
or various prescription drugs, may decrease the irritation
caused by the inflammation. However, if there is diminished
circulation to the area, these oral medications may not
provide enough dosage to alter the symptoms. Icing the joint
after activity may also decrease the inflammation and relieve
the pain. |
| Tips
For Preventing Injury |
| •
|
Warm
up well before play. Muscles are like Silly Putty™
and stretch more when they are warm. Make sure to keep the
muscles warm as you play |
| •
|
Choose
appropriate equipment and maintain it properly. A racquet
handle that is too big or too small, strung too tightly
or loosely, or has a too big or too small head, may increase
stress to the elbow and wrist during play. |
| •
|
Condition
for the activity by stretching and strengthening all the
muscles used in the sport. Also evaluate play techniques
to make sure that they are not irritating the condition. |
Back
to Sports Tips
American
Orthopaedic Society
for Sports Medicine
6300 North River Road, Suite 200
Rosemont, Illinois 60018
http://www.sportsmed.org
|
National
Athletic
Trainers Association
2952 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75247
http://www.nata.org |
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