Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a painful condition that affects muscles and tendons of the forearm. Overuse and repeated motion of muscles and tendons causes pain, inflammation, and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, causing chronic lateral epicondylitis. Playing racquet sports or tennis often causes the condition, however,
there are several other sports and activities that can put an individual at the risk of getting tennis elbow. This blog post covers common causes, symptoms, and treatment options for tennis elbow.
The extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle that helps in keeping the wrist stabilized when the elbow is straight, gets weakened from overuse. Microscopic tears may form in the tendons where the ECRB attaches to lateral epincondyle, leading to tennis elbow.
Individuals who participate in activities that require repetitive action and vigorous use of forearm muscles are prone to getting tennis elbow. Carpenters, painters and plumbers are at risk of developing the condition.
Individuals mostly get tennis elbow between 30 and 50 years of age. Anyone who is involved in vigorous work every day can develop the problem. There is also a possibility of developing tennis elbow without any strenuous workout, sports or recognized repetitive injury.
The symptoms develop gradually and pain usually begins mildly and worsens over weeks and months. Some of the common signs and symptoms of the problem include:
- Weak grip strength
- Pain or burning on outer part of elbow
The initial course of chronic lateral epicondylitis treatment for tennis elbow involves non-surgical methods such as adequate rest, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, brace, physical therapy including lateral epicondylitis exercises, steroid injections, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. If an individual doesn’t see any improvement after 6 to 12 months of non-surgical treatment, lateral epicondylitis surgery could be the best option. Doctors remove the diseased tendon and re-attach healthy tendon to the bone. Open surgery is the most common method of treating tennis elbow and is performed as an outpatient method that rarely needs overnight hospital stay. Arthroscopic surgery, similar to open surgery, is another procedure where doctors treat tennis elbow using miniature instruments and by making small incisions.
Last Few Words
The doctor will determine the type of treatment depending on the general health of the patient, scope of injury, and personal needs of the body. If you suspect you might have tennis elbow, get in touch with our team at Texas Health Spine Ortho to schedule a consultation with a reputable doctor. We are an alliance of nationally recognized healthcare organizations and physicians, committed to offering quick, safe, and effective care to patients. You can fill out our appointment form and one of our team members will get in
touch with you. You can also call us at 1-888-608-4762.