Tennis elbow
Since Wimbledon starts today and you’ll all be getting the tennis bug like everyone in the U.K does at this time of year I thought we’d look at Tennis elbow, you don’t have to play tennis to get it.
Tennis elbow (medically known as Lateral epicondylitis) is a condition characterized by excruciating pain over the outer aspect of your elbow. This is one of the most prominent overuse injuries you can get. This is a misnomer; the disease can occur in other activities which also which involve extensive use of the forearm.
The main symptom of tennis elbow is recurrent pain over the outer aspect of upper limb, near to the elbow. Sometimes, the pain can radiate up to the wrist joint. The person can not lift or grasp any object; even writing becomes difficult in advanced cases. You can not extend your hand fully; pain in the elbow will restrict your normal activities.
Once started, the acute stage of pain will last for at least 6-12 weeks. It can remain for up to years in a milder form.
The cause of Tennis elbow is repeated minute tear in the tendons of the muscles. Initially the tear heals itself. But with repeated tear, the muscle and the whole tendon becomes inflamed. Collagen tissue comes out and aggravates the situation. There is formation of granulation tissue in the places of normal tendinous tissue. The friction against the bony prominence makes the condition worse.
The best way to treat a case of tennis elbow is complete rest. This will normalize the situation early. You may have to stop playing games if the condition does not improve.
Gradual stretching exercise will help in the betterment of the situation. Corticosteroids may be prescribed in refractory cases.
If medical management fails, surgical removal of the inflamed tendon and lengthening of the tendons will definitely improve the condition.
Tags: Lateral epicondylitis, overuse injury, sports injuries, stretching exercise, Tennis elbow, Treating tennis elbow