Tennis Elbow is a medical condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. The medical name for this condition is lateral epicondylitis. The first step in the proper treatment of tennis elbow is understanding the symptoms of the condition. Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain and tenderness near the bony bump at the outside of the elbow. Treatment of this injury usually requires rest, icing and compression as well as wearing an appropriately designed elbow brace. Both the symptoms and treatment of tennis elbow are actually very similar to those for golfers elbow. The main difference between the two types of injury is that tennis elbow is an injury to the tendons attached to the outer elbow while golfers elbow is an injury to the corresponding tendons on the inner elbow.
It is an overuse injury involving damage to the forearm muscles and tendons from repetitive overuse. Any activity (typically playing tennis) that involves extensive use of the extensor muscles of the forearm can be a risk factor for the condition. These muscles play a key role in bending or straightening your forearm and in raising and lowering your wrist. So there is a wide range of activities that can potentially increase your risk of developing tennis elbow. For example, they can include swinging a hammer, holding a paintbrush or other everyday tasks.
Risk factors for this condition include:
Typical symptoms are pain and tenderness at the outer part of the elbow. Pain may also result from gripping, lifting and wrist extension (e.g. turning a screwdriver) movements.
Although the pain normally starts at the bony area on the outer elbow, it frequently radiates to the hand and wrist after a while. After a while, your tennis elbow symptoms may include difficulty performing routine tasks like holding a cup of coffee, shaking hands or operating a computer mouse.
Your doctor may diagnose your tennis elbow by conducting a physical exam. He may also ask you to perform various movements with your arm and elbow. Additionally, he may request diagnostic exams such as X-Rays to confirm the diagnosis.
The primary treatment for this injury is rest. The injured tendons must be given an opportunity to recover. In addition, the patient can treat the pain of the injury by icing the elbow frequently. Non prescription pain killing medications like aspirin can be used for additional pain control if the injury is severe.
Treatment can also include physical therapy exercises that include gently and gradually stretching your forearm muscles. For example, one of these exercises may be gradually raising your wrist and then lowering it.
A tennis elbow elbow brace (band or sleeve) that applies pressure to the injured tendon can reduce the vibrations travelling along the forearm muscles to the elbow tendons. This will allow the tendons to get the rest they need. It will also reduce pain and discomfort the patient is experiencing and help to heal his tennis elbow.
If the above conservative treatment strategies do not work, your doctor may recommend plasma or botox injections for treatment of your tennis elbow.
Another tennis elbow treatment option is surgery to remove the damaged portions of the elbow tendons. Your doctor can perform this surgery by either making one large incision or by making several smaller ones.
Your doctor may also suggest ultrasonic tenetomy as a treatment for your tennis elbow. This procedure is normally performed by a specialist who will insert a needle into the injured portion of the elbow tendon. Ultrasonic technology is then used to make the needle vibrate at high speed and liquefy the damaged tissue. The specialist will then suction the liquefied tissue out of your elbow.
One thing to bear in mind with all of the invasive approaches mentioned above (injections or surgery) is that they remove a portion of your elbow tendon. As a result, rehabilitative exercises to restore elbow strength and function are a “must” after performance of these procedures.
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The Mueller 4 Way Stretch Elbow Support allows you to continue pursuing an active lifestyle with no loss of comfort of convenience.
The Kinesio 60 Piece Pre-Cut Counter Display includes 10 each of back, knee, wrist, neck, foot and shoulder pre-cut applications:
The McDavid Active Comfort Compression Elbow Sleeve uses tech print technology and a breathable 4 way stretch fabric to relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate tennis or golfers’ elbow.
Therapeutic Forearm Band – the Band It Elbow Brace is the only medically designed device which aids in the relief and prevention of pain associated with Tendinitis, Tennis Elbow, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Repetitive Stress Injuries and Cumulative Trauma Disorders sustained in the workplace or in recreational environments. Designed by world renowned orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Donald Fareed, M.D. As a long time consultant to members of the Davis Cup, other professional sports teams and Olympic athletes, he designed the BandIt Strap based on 20 years of clinical observation and treatments of RSIs.
The Digi Squeeze Hand Exerciser is a hand exercise ball with finger and thumb indents and markings to ensure proper hand positioning.
With its 4 directional stretch nylon and non irritating adhesive, your patients may find Dynamic Tape to be the most comfortable, yet effective athletic tape they have encountered.
The Mueller Sports Medicine EASYfit® Kinesiology Tape applications are easy to apply and will give quick relief from your sore and aching muscles, ligament strains and many other types of injuries.
The Mueller Elastic Elbow Support will provide firm and reliable elbow support and is nevertheless lightweight with complete user comfort.
The Mueller Sports Medicine Elbow Sleeve offers compression and soothing warmth to help promote healing from general elbow injuries. Fits either elbow.
The McDavid Elbow Sleeve / 4-Way Elastic w/Gel Buttresses offers exceptional function in managing olecranon bursitis.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Breathable and comfortable relief from bursitis, arthritis, and tendonitis, especially golf and tennis elbow
The McDavid Elbow Sleeve / Elastic provides mild compression for soft tissue support without heat retention.
Level 1: Primary Protection – Support, helping to relieve pain and promote healing
The McDavid Elbow Strap With Pads has dual Sorbothane® pads that provide targeted, pain-relieving pressure.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Helping to relieve painful tennis or golf elbow symptoms using targeted pressure
