Tennis Elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis may happen when you do a repetitive swinging or twisting motion of your lower arm. Tendon that connects your forearm muscles gets damaged after extra stress to your elbow. Most people may get better after a few months of nonsurgical tennis elbow treatments and rest to the joint.

what is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow injury causes pain and inflammation in your elbow. It is usually a repetitive elbow strain injury. Repetitive strain injuries may happen when you use a specific part of your body to repeatedly do the same kind of motion often enough to damage the tissue.

Tennis elbow is a common sports injury in tennis, hence gets its name from those who play tennis or other racket sports. It usually happens when you overuse the tendon that connects your forearm muscles to your elbow.

The medical term for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis, which is an inflammation in the extensor muscle tendon. Lateral epicondylitis defines the inflammation, which occurs on the the outside edge when you hold your arms at your sides with your palms facing forward.

tennis elbow symptoms

One cannot be certain if you have tennis elbow without visiting a orthopedic doctor for a diagnosis.

Here are the most common tennis elbow symptoms:

  • Elbow pain, especially, when it is on the outside of your elbow.
  • Stiffness in the elbow.
  • Swelling of the elbow.
  • A weakened hand grip.

tennis elbow causes

An arm activity or motion that is frequently repeated may cause tennis elbow. This repetetive movement causes stress that builds up over time. Eventually, that stress on your extensor muscle tendon may cause tiny tears. These microtraumas cause tennis elbow symptoms, which you would feel and notice.

It is less common, but a sudden arm or elbow injury may also cause tennis elbow injury.

tennis elbow treatments

Orthopedic will advice tennis elbow treatments to help to heal the affected tendon. RICE method is usually the way to fix tennis elbow injury:

  • Rest - Take a break from the activity that maye have caused tennis elbow. Avoid using your elbow until it heals.
  • Ice - Apply a cold compress or ice pack to your elbow for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, a few times a day.
  • Compression - Wrap a compression bandage around your injured elbow.
  • Elevation - Keep your elbow above the level of your heart as often as you can.

Other nonsurgical tennis elbow treatments include:

  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers or acetaminophen help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
  • Physiotherapy.
  • Wearing an elbow brace.
  • Platelet-rich plasma.
  • Corticosteroids are prescription anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Tenotomy.
  • Shockwave therapy.

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