Tennis Elbow
Tennis Elbow or Lateral Epicondylitis is a painful condition caused by overuse of the arm, forearm and hand muscles, resulting in elbow pain. A tendon is that part of the muscle that attaches to the bone. Some muscles in the forearm attach to the bone on the outside of the elbow. Lateral Epicondylitis is inflammation on the outside (lateral part) of the elbow, where the tendons insert into the elbow bone. With repetitive use of these muscles, small tears develop in the tendon, which, over time, cause irritation and pain where the tendon is attached to the bone. This type of injury appears to be common in people who play racquet sports such as tennis, hence the name "Tennis Elbow".
Cause or Possible Risk Factors
- The pain is thought to be due to an injury, or several tiny injuries, whether abrupt or subtle, to one or more of these tendons
- Injuries are usually caused by overuse of your forearm muscles in repeated actions such as wringing clothes or manual work
- Any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist (like using a screwdriver)
- Constant computer keyboard and mouse use
- Playing tennis or other racquet sports can also cause tendon injuries
- In most people, tennis elbow affects the dominant arm
- In some people, the condition develops for no apparent reason without any prior overuse or injury to their arm
- Age group that this condition affects is between 30 to 50 years
Symptoms
- Pain radiating from the outside of the elbow to the forearm and back of the hand when grasping or twisting
- Pain near the elbow when the wrist is bent backwards.
- Typically, pain is made worse by lifting, gripping and twisting movements of the affected arm
- Pain may occur during handshakes, lifting a briefcase or bag of groceries, or similar activities that stress the tendons in the forearm
- Weak grip strength
- Weakness in the forearm
For more information on the conditions we treat and services we offer, or to book an appointment please call us on 416 489 5313 (Finch) / 416 604 4404 (Jane) or email us at info@physiowell.ca.
