Tennis Elbow

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Tennis elbow, also known as Lateral Epicondylitis, is one of the most common painful conditions of the elbow. Inflammation and pain occur on and around the outer bony bump of the elbow where the muscles and tendons attach to the bone. These structures are responsible for lifting your wrist up, so this condition can occur with many activities, not just tennis.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

Most commonly, you will have pain and tenderness on the outer side of the elbow, and this pain may even travel down the forearm. Often, there is pain and/or weakness with gripping and lifting activities. You may also experience difficulty with twisting activities during sports or even opening the lid of a jar.

WHY DO I HAVE IT?

Tennis elbow occurs due to tension on a weakened area of the tissue, typically as a result of a degenerative process. The exact cause of tennis elbow is still unknown, and it can affect anyone regardless of their specific activities. It is not necessarily caused by overuse or doing something "wrong."

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

The first step to getting better is to decrease inflammation. Daily ice massage can help. Fill a paper cup with water, freeze it, peel the top of the cup away to expose the ice, and rub it over the affected area in a circular motion for 5-7 minutes. Your physician may also prescribe some anti-inflammatory medication to take for several weeks. Modification of the painful activity and rest, along with wearing a Tennis Elbow Strap while engaging in wrist/elbow activity, may also help take the pressure off the tendon attachment to the bone.