Tennis Elbow: Not Just Tennis-Related

So, what is tennis elbow? How does it occur? How do you treat it? Why is it so common? How do you know that you have it?

Sometimes confused with carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow is characterized by recurring pain, soreness, and inflammation on the outside of the upper forearm near the elbow. Gradually, the pain worsens and can start to radiate down the arm toward the wrist. Pain often occurs when squeezing, lifting, and twisting objects.

A substantial portion of tennis players suffer from tennis elbow, but they only make up a small percentage of total reported cases of tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can strike anyone whose job or activity requires repetitive motion of the wrist and forearm. This includes jobs like painting, plumbing, and those that require using a hammer or screwdriver.

Tennis elbow is a form of tendonitis; tiny tears in the tendon and muscle coverings cause inflammation and pinching of the radial nerve, which controls the muscles of the arm and hand. Whether afflicted with it on the tennis court or at your job, tennis elbow is a chronic condition that can sideline you for 12 to 18 months.

Tips for tennis elbow prevention include:

• Taking time to stretch both arms and wrists.
• Using hand weights to strengthen the forearm and wrist.
• Applying an ice pack to the outside of the elbow after activity.

If professional treatment is needed, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy are both conservative and effective methods that strengthen the wrist and forearm. Additional conservative methods include heat therapy, cortisone injections, a forearm brace to alleviate the pressure on the tendons and muscles, and a splint to rest the arm. Surgery may also be necessary if nonsurgical methods do not prove to be effective.

To learn more about tennis elbow or injuries and conditions of the elbow, contact The Hand & Upper Extremity Center of Georgia at (404) 255-0226 or schedule an appointment online.