Tennis Elbow - Lateral Epicondylalgia

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, also known as Lateral Epicondylalgia, is inflammation of the elbow joint caused by repetitive overuse stress. The pain is located lateral (outside) of the elbow but may radiate down the back of your forearm. Pain is more often felt when you straighten or fully extend your arm.

What causes Tennis Elbow?

The tendon is the part of a muscle that attaches to the bone. Forearm tendons attach the forearm muscles to the outer bone of the elbow. Tennis elbow often occurs when the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRB) muscle in the forearm is damaged. The ECRB helps extend the wrist.

Repetitive stress on the ECRB weakens the muscle, causing extremely tiny tears in the muscle’s tendon at the point where it attaches to the outside of the elbow. These tears lead to inflammation and pain. Tennis elbow can be triggered by any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist.

These activities may include:

• Tennis

• Badminton

• Swimming

• Golf

• Manual labour such as frequently using a screwdriver, hammer or computer

What are the symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

• mild elbow pain at which gradually gets worse

• pain extending from the outside of the elbow down to the forearm and wrist

• weak grip

• increased pain when shaking hands or squeezing an object

• pain when lifting something, using tools or opening jars

How can Tennis Elbow be prevented?

• ensure you are using the right equipment and proper technique for each sport or activity

• performing exercises that maintain the strength and flexibility of the forearm

• icing your elbow following intense physical activity

• resting your elbow if it is painful to bend or straighten your arm

• when resting injured elbow, use strapping for support from daily activities

*Disclaimer

Our therapists provide injury treatment, advice, prevention, and rehabilitation exercises through sports massage, deep tissue massage, exercise programming and physiotherapy.

We provide educational content for informational purposes only. Aways seek a medical professionals care and advice regarding injuries.