Tennis elbow, also known as lateral
epicondylitis, could be defined as the swelling of the elbow joint caused due
to repetitive stress. The pain originates on the outer portion of the elbow but
can radiate down the arm. You are most likely to experience discomfort when you
straighten your hands. Well, to know more about this sports injury, please
check out the given discussion right now.
Causes
Forearm tendons join the forearm muscles to
the external bone of the elbow. Tennis elbow occurs when a certain muscle
strand (extensor carpi radialis brevis or ECRB) present in the forearm is
damaged. The ECRM is responsible for the wrist movement.
Constant stress weakens ECRB muscle by
developing tiny tears throughout it. These tears cause excruciating
inflammation. Besides tennis and other types of racquet sports, swimming, golf,
abrupt turn of the key, and frequent usage of hammer or screwdriver also lead
to tennis elbow.
Symptoms
According to a highly competent musculoskeletal doctor, mild elbow pain
that gradually worsens is the main symptom of tennis elbow. Others include:
·
Weak grip.
·
Pain outside the
elbow and in the wrist and the forearm.
·
Discomfort when
lifting weights, opening jars, shaking hands, squeezing objects, or using
tools.
Diagnosis
Tennis elbow is diagnosed during a
comprehensive physical examination. If you are experiencing pain in the elbow,
your doctor will try to detect what it is by asking about your job, what kind
of sports you play, your workout regimen, etc. To confirm, he or she will carry
out an MRI scan or X-ray.
Treatment
·
The foremost step
is to limit movement as much as possible. Do not move the affected hand for several
weeks and take rest. A doctor gives braces for immobilising the muscles.
·
Ice packs are
placed on the elbow to decrease swelling and soothe the pain. Do not hold the
ice for a prolonged period or else you will end up suffering from frostbites.
·
Physical therapy
involves a series of exercises for reinforcing the muscles of the forearm and
promoting healing. It includes massages and muscle stimulating techniques.
·
In ultrasound
therapy, a probe is placed on the injured elbow. It emits sound waves at a high
frequency to repair the tissues. This treatment speeds up the recovery to a
great extent.
·
Injecting
corticosteroid medication directly into the tendons attached to the bone of the
elbow or the muscle largely cuts down inflammation.
Surgery becomes mandatory when the symptoms do
not alleviate even after a year. Arthroscopy is used for removing the dead
tissues from inside the elbow and reattaching healthy muscles to the bone.
According to a renowned sports physician, wearing the right type of equipment and adhering
to the rules of activity prevents tennis elbow to a great extent. Other safety
measures include performing exercises to maintain the flexibility as well as
the strength of arms, and resting the elbow or applying ice cubes to it. Also,
take breaks. Otherwise, you pave the way for unnecessary complications.
