The elbow is one of the most used joints in the body. It allows us a wide range of motion to participate in innumerable activities. Injuries to the elbow can make completing daily tasks difficult, if not impossible. One of the most common elbow injuries is tennis elbow. If you are suffering from tennis elbow, our experienced elbow specialists and doctors are here to help.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a form of tendinitis. The tendons connecting the forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow become inflamed or damaged. It is often caused by overuse or repetitive motions.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of tennis elbow is pain in and around the elbow. However, there are a number of other symptoms that may present themselves. These symptoms include:
- Tenderness of the elbow
- Weakness in the elbow
- Stiffness in the elbow
- Pain radiating from the elbow to the hand
If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms, you should see an arm specialist to determine if you are suffering from tennis elbow.
Treatments for Tennis Elbow
We use a number of techniques to treat tennis elbow. Possible treatment options include:
- Rest: Simply avoiding activities which use the elbow can vastly improve the condition.
- Ice: Applying ice packs can help reduce inflammation.
- Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce both pain and inflammation.
- Physical Therapy: This involves learning and using exercises intended to strengthen and stretch the forearm muscles.
- Tennis Elbow Brace: A brace can provide support and reduce stress on the elbow.
- Corticosteroid Injection: Injecting the elbow with corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and pain.
- Surgery: In the most severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the tendons.
One of our arm specialists can evaluate your tennis elbow and determine which treatment option is most appropriate.
Tennis Elbow Exercises
Certain exercises have been proven to help treat tennis elbow. These exercises include:
- Wrist Extensor Exercises: This involves holding one arm straight out in front of you with your palm down. You then bend your wrist upwards, gently pulling your fingers towards your body with your other hand, feeling a stretch on the outside of your forearm. This should be held for 15-30 seconds.
- Wrist Flexor Stretch: This involves holding one arm straight out in front of you, palm up. You then bend your wrist downwards, gently pulling your fingers towards your body with your other hand, feeling a stretch on the inside of your forearm. This should be held for 15-30 seconds.
- Towel Twist: In the exercise, you will sit with your forearm resting on your thigh, facing down. Use your other hand to twist your wrist so your palm faces up, holding for a few seconds.
- Wrist Extension: In this exercise, you will rest your forearm on a table with your hand hanging off the edge. Hold a light weight in your hand, palm up. Slowly raise the weight, keeping your forearm still, then slowly lower it.
- Forearm Pronation and Supination: In this exercise, you will support your forearm and hold a light weight. Slowly rotate your forearm so your palm faces down (pronation), then back up (supination).
An elbow specialist can help you determine which of these exercises best suits your tennis elbow symptoms. A doctor can also teach you proper technique to ensure you are getting the most benefit from these exercises. In some cases of tennis elbow, exercises may not be enough. Always consult with a doctor to determine what exercises help ease your symptoms and determine whether further treatment is needed.
How Long Does Tennis Elbow Last?
Tennis elbow does not have an exact timeframe for recovery. Severity of the condition and age of the patient can drastically affect recovery time. Mild cases will often completely heal with 6-12 weeks of treatment, while the most severe cases can last for several months or up to a year.
As tennis elbow can worsen with time, you should see an arm specialist as soon as possible to begin treatment and start down the road to recovery.