ELBOW
Tennis elbow is an injury that usually occurs in the tendon that attaches to the elbow.
Despite the name, tennis elbow doesn’t only affect those that play tennis. While tennis players are at risk for this type of injury, other sports that involve repetitive motion, such as baseball or golf, also carry the risk of this injury as well. About one to three people in 100 have tennis elbow, making it a relatively common injury.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
One of the key signs of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, or, more specifically, about one to two cm down from the bony part on your elbow.
This pain often becomes worse when making a fist or moving the wrist with force. Additionally, there may also be weakness in the muscles around the forearm, which can cause difficulty shaking hands or squeezing objects.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
This injury is usually chronic, which means that it’s caused by repetitive motion such as gripping a racket while swinging, putting strain and stress on the tendons in your arm. The constant tugging at the tendons can cause tiny tears in the tissue.
In some cases though, this tennis elbow is acute, which means that it can also be caused by an immediate injury, rather than developing slowly over time. Banging or knocking the elbow can cause this injury to occur.
Treatment Options
If you’ve suffered an injury, or are experiencing pain near your elbow, it’s a good idea to have it checked.
This is because while tennis elbow can be mild, and is often treated with rest, it’s important to diagnose the extent of the injury, and to rule out other more serious injuries, such as radial nerve entrapment as well as neck injuries.
In most cases, tennis elbow can heal without treatment, but in severe cases, surgery may be required to repair the tendon. Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy or specific exercises to help you to ease back into your activities. It’s important not to push yourself too quickly though; not allowing yourself to heal completely can result in additional damage to the tendon.
If you have suffered a sports injury or are experiencing pain near your elbow, contact Rhode Island orthopedic specialists, Ortho Rhode Island today.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians.
