Tennis Elbow is a common term for a condition caused by overuse of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles that can result in elbow pain. Another name for Tennis Elbow is Lateral Epicondylitis. In this blog post, learn all you need to know about tennis elbow and how a tennis elbow brace can relieve pain and give you back your motion.
“My elbow is in agony but I don’t play tennis?!”
A common misconception is that you have to play tennis to get Tennis Elbow. This is incorrect! This condition can be brought on by many activities and, in fact, less than 5% of all Tennis Elbow issues are related to actually playing tennis.
Due to the physical nature of Tennis Elbow, it affects more men than women and often affects people between the ages of 30 and 50, although anyone can be affected if they routinely participate in the risk factors below..
Risk Factors Include:
Playing Tennis or other Racket Sports
Yard Work
Vacuuming
Carpentry
Hand Shaking
Pain caused from Tennis Elbow usually comes on slowly due to a small tear that initially you do not feel but becomes worse over time. It is not common for the pain to come on suddenly.
Pain will slowly increase around the outside of the elbow and will worsen when shaking hands or squeezing objects.
Pain is made worse by moving the wrist with force such as lifting, opening jars, and even just by handling a toothbrush or fork and knife.
Try to avoid activities that will aggravate the pain.
Wear a tennis elbow brace or strap to take the load off the irritated tissue.
The Arthritis & Injury Care Centre carries bracing options to help lessen this pain such as the BREG Tennis Elbow Strap.
Gradual stretching and strengthening exercises – these can be given to you by a physiotherapist.
Some anti-inflammatory injections may help to reduce pain
Once the condition is resolved it is recommended to gradually return to activities.
You can purchase a Tennis Elbow brace at Arthritis and Injury Care Locations in Halifax NS, Dartmouth NS, Saint John NB, and Fredericton NB.
Author:
Olivia Northrup, Business Administration Manager
Arthritis & Injury Care Centre
Tennis elbow is different than Golfers elbow, both are manifestations of epicondylitis which are painful. They both start from repetitive motion and can have flare ups if not treated properly. This injury needs adequate rest to heal which can be a challenge if it stemmed from work (hammering, painters, plumbers, butchers, repetitive computer mouse use, and carpentry).
Tennis Elbow is overuse and strain of the forearm muscles that are used to straighten and raise the hand and wrist. There are tiny tears that form in the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the bony prominence on the outer side of the elbow. Tennis elbow is triggered by the tendons in the forearm that perform extension of the wrist and fingers.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Pain may radiate from the outer side of the elbow into the forearm and wrist. The pain and weakness make it difficult to rotate the forearm for uses such as turning a door knob, tools, gripping objects, shaking hands, holding a cup.
Benefits of Massage for Tennis Elbow
Work focused on the elbow, wrist and forearms can: