Tennis Elbow Pain, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition involving tendons on the outside of the elbow. A tendon is a fibrous tissue that connects a muscle to the bone. It acts as an anchor for the muscle.

What is Tennis Elbow Pain

Exercises of the extensor tendons involving active and passive stretching help to strengthen the muscles to prevent pain and promote a healthy recovery.

Tennis Elbow Pain is caused by repeated stress on the tendons attached to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. Certain daily activities put stress on these tendons leading initially to swelling and later small tears in the tendons. Rarely it may be due to direct trauma or injury on the lateral aspect of the elbow.

There are four tendons originating from this site, the most commonly involved tendon is the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis, which extends the wrist joint and the fingers.

Causes of Tennis Elbow Pain

Repeated use of muscles to extend the forearm and wrists causes these tendons to get inflamed causing pain.

Sports persons involved in playing racquet sports like tennis, badminton and golf are commonly affected although other sports activities may also lead to this.

Certain professionals like carpenters, painters, plumbers, car mechanics, and typists may also be affected.

Mostly it affects young active individuals of both sexes.

Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow Pain

The most common symptom of the Tennis Elbow is  Pain and heaviness around the lateral aspect of the forearm. The grip may become weak due to pain. Lifting heavy objects, routine activities like pouring tea, turning a door knob, playing racquet sports, carrying suitcases or riding a motorcycle or bicycle may be painful.

Treatment for Tennis Elbow Pain

Clinical history and simple tests such as eliciting pain with rapid movements of the palm upwards and downwards with the finger of the examiner on the lateral elbow are enough to make the diagnosis. An X-ray of the elbow may be required in the elderly age group to rule out arthritis. An ultrasound exam of the elbow may show swollen tendons on the affected site. Some patients may have tears in the affected tendons.

Rest

Rest and restricted activity after any injury or pain should be the first treatment to reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with it.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Simple Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in reducing pain and inflammation in the early stages.

Ice application

Ice application over the affected part plays the same role.

Certain patients may benefit from taping over the common extensor origin.

Injections

Based upon the ultrasound diagnosis of a swelling (tendinitis) or a tear in the tendons, the patients may undergo either steroid injection around the tendons or regenerative therapy like a PRP or GFC injection into the torn tendons to help repair the tears. These are effective ways to reduce the pain and disability associated with tennis elbow and the patients get back to their routine life at the earliest.

Surgery

Surgery may be required as a last resort where the tear is extensive/complete or refractory to other options.

Prevention for Tennis Elbow Pain

Exercises of the extensor tendons involving active and passive stretching help to strengthen the muscles to prevent pain and promote a healthy recovery.