What is Tennis Elbow
Tennis Elbow is a frequent injury impacting people from many walks of life. Although tennis elbow commonly affects tennis players, it also affects other people who participate in leisure or work activities that require repetitive arm, elbow, and wrist movement. Examples include golfers, bowlers, gardeners, house cleaners, carpenters, and mechanics.
 Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a common term for a condition caused by overuse of arm and forearm muscles resulting in elbow pain. It should be no surprise (based on the name) that playing tennis is one cause of tennis elbow, but there are many activities that can cause this.
The pain from this type of injury occurs where the tendons of forearm muscles attach to the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle). This pain can also extend to the forearm and wrist.
Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain on the outer part of elbow. The pain is worse when shaking hands, squeezing objects, or with wrist extension and lifting movements. Examples include lifting with the palm down, pouring from a pitcher, using tools, opening jars, or handling utensils. Often there is morning stiffness in the arm associated with this.
How Do You Treat Tennis Elbow?
To reduce the pain and inflammation of tennis elbow, you can try rest and avoid any activity that causes pain to the sore elbow. Apply ice to the affected area. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
Physical therapy is effective in the treatment of this type of injury. It includes various modalities for preventing and treating tennis elbow. After an evaluation, a physical therapist will develop an appropriate treatment plan designed to decrease the pain, improve elbow and wrist range of motion, and increase the strength of the muscles in the elbow and wrist. This will include a home program that includes icing and rest. The physical therapist will also provide instruction on ways to minimize excessive gripping motions that increase your symptoms.
About 5% of people with the injury require more extensive intervention through surgery to repair the damaged tendon. Of those requiring surgery 80% - 90% obtain pain relief and a return to strength.
The pain of tennis elbow doesn't have to keep you from enjoying your favorite activities. Rest and over-the-counter pain relievers often help. For a patient with injuries that do not respond to rest, a physical therapist is often successful in helping a patient obtain pain relief and increased motion and mobility.
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