Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common cause of elbow pain. It is caused by swelling of the lateral tendon on the elbow. Despite the name it’s not unique to only tennis players but anyone is susceptible to this condition.
Signs and symptoms
- Pain on the outside part of the upper forearm or elbow. It gets worse with hand and forearm movements. Pain is caused by gripping objects, bending the elbow, lifting objects or twisting the forearm. It is often most painful in the evening.
- Weak grip
- Stiff elbow
Causes
- It is often an overuse injury caused by repetitive movements of the forearm and wrist. This results to inflammation and microtears of the tendon particularly of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle
- Work related stress on the tendon due to incorrect technique or use of equipment. This is common in manual laborers such as carpenters, plumbers etc.
- Incorrect arm movements during work outs and weightlifting
- Trauma, falling on an outstretched arm.
Diagnosis
- Patients’ history- history of pain, location of pain, provoking and easing factors.
- Imaging such as MRI and diagnostic ultrasound
- Occupation history- nature of your work. Does your work involve repetitive, one-sided movements? Which activities give you the most pain at work?
- Special physiotherapy tests such as chair test. Cozen’s test etc.
Treatment
- Rest to facilitate proper healing.
- Physiotherapy
- Pain relief meds
- Surgery- in instances where non-surgical approaches fail.
Physiotherapy management
- Patient education on appropriate work practices
- Heat and electrotherapy for pain relief.
- Manual therapy
- Strengthening exercises for wrist extensors
- Elbow brace/splint.
- Ergonomic assessment
