Tennis Elbow – Symptoms and Causes – Kingaroy Chiropractic & Wellness
What Is It?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful inflammation of the elbow joint caused by repetitive stress (overuse). The pain is located on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow, but may radiate down your forearm
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Recent studies show that tennis elbow is often due to damage to a specific forearm muscle namely the The extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). The ECRB is a muscle that helps stabilize the wrist when the elbow is straight. This occurs during a tennis groundstroke, for example. When the ECRB is weakened from overuse, microscopic tears form in the tendon where it attaches to the lateral epicondyle. This leads to inflammation and pain.
The ECRB may also be at increased risk for damage because of its position. As the elbow bends and straightens, the muscle rubs against bony bumps. This can cause gradual wear and tear of the muscle over time.
Athletes are not the only people who get tennis elbow. Many people with tennis elbow participate in work or recreational activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscle or repetitive extension of the wrist and hand.
Painters, plumbers, and carpenters are particularly prone to developing tennis elbow. Studies have shown that mechanics, cooks, butchers and even those who frequently use a computer can get tennis elbow more often than the rest of the population.
Tennis elbow can however occur without any recognized repetitive injury. This occurrence is called idiopathic, or of an unknown cause.
Symptoms
The symptoms of tennis elbow develop gradually. In most cases, the pain begins as mild and slowly worsens over weeks and months. There is usually no specific injury associated with the start of symptoms.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow Include:
• Pain or burning on the outer part of your elbow
• Pain during simple task like gripping small objects and writing
• Weak grip strength
• Depending on the severity pain may be constant or only occur a few hours after the aggravating activity
Symptoms are often worsened with forearm activity
Treatment Options
Several treatment methods can be used at home or after consulting a GP or physiotherapist
Rest: Resting the arm is important. A break in activity allows the inflammation/tears in the tendon attachment to heal. Ice, anti-inflammatory drugs can also provide relief.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapists will also use various treatment modalities to strengthen the muscles of your forearm and promote healing. These may include arm exercises, join mobilisations, ice massage, and muscle-stimulating techniques.
Strapping or taping the forearm: Supporting the area can help realign the muscle fibres and relieve pressure on the area. A splint may be recommend depending on the severity of your symptoms or simple strapping may suffice.
Steroid injection: If symptoms are very painful, and physiotherapy proves ineffective, a GP may recommend a steroid (cortisone) injection.
Surgery
Surgery may be needed if symptoms don’t improve after a year of treatment. You and your doctor can determine whether surgery is necessary to improve your condition.
Surgery is either performed through a small scope that’s inserted into the elbow (arthroscopically) or through a larger incision made directly over the elbow (open surgery). Both methods are used to remove any dead tissue and to reattach healthy muscle onto the bone.
After surgery, your arm may be immobilized with a splint. This is done to help restore muscle strength and flexibility.
Chiropractic Treatment for Tennis Elbow
When you visit Kingaroy Chiropractic for tennis elbow, our experts will examine your elbow, forearm, and wrist. Here’s how chiropractic care for tennis elbow can help you:
• Resting the Elbow and Arm
• Managing the Pain
• Reducing Inflammation
• Practicing Proper Technique
For more information on how chiropractic could help you and your family, please visit or call to us here at (07) 4162 1335.
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