Tennis Elbow is a Long Lasting Condition

Tennis Elbow, as it is often called, is the most common(referred pain). Other symptoms are, pain that radiates
ailment or condition at the elbows of the tennis players,from the outside of the elbow into the forearm and
but also arises in everyday life (most people whowrist, pain when you extend your wrist, forearm
suffer from epicondylitis have never played tennis).weakness, pain that gets worse over weeks or
The pain from Tennis elbow is felt in the external sidemonths, a painful grip during certain activities, such as
of the elbow when muscle activity or pressure is doneshaking hands or turning a doorknob, an inability to hold
on the affected area. According to the severity of thecertain objects, such as a coffee cup, pain that
pain, it will extend into the hand or the shoulder. If thistypically lasts for 6 to 12 weeks and this discomfort
condition is not treated properly can lead to seriouscan continue for as little as 3 weeks or as long as
mobility problems of the elbow. It often appears inseveral years.
people over 30 years.Treatments available
What causes this injuryThere are several available treatments for tennis
The correct name for tennis elbow is Lateralelbow. These usually start off conservatively and
Epicondylitis and when attributed to the game of tenniswork up to more involved treatments. The majority of
and novice tennis players, it is often caused by poorpatients respond to prolonged conservative treatment,
technique when hitting a backhand. The right posture towhich has been reported to be successful in about 90
play using backhand demands keeping the wrist firmpercent of patients. In a small percentage of individuals,
and strong so that the force applied by the ball gotconservative treatment fails and painful tennis elbow
spread over the whole arm and not just on the wrist.persists causing discomfort and limited function. Some
Tennis Elbow is also caused when the elbow istreatment techniques are employed to resolve the pain
overstressed or repetitively overused and affects theand dysfunction of tennis elbow. Initial treatment may
outer area of the elbow, rather than the inner areainclude application of ice packs to the elbow and use
often identified with Golfer's Elbow. Other than playersof anti-inflammatory medications (such as ibuprofen)
who play with racquet, labors who lay bricks in thefor pain relief. Stretching and strengthening exercises
construction of a building, housewives, manual workerswill increase strength without causing any irritation or
who are doing a lot of lifting and using the muscles ofoveruse of the tendons. Massage therapy,
the forearm, and computer users who types a lot areacupuncture treatments and acupressure are popular
prone to get this injury because their work requiretreatments for tendinitis and Tennis Elbow.
repeated bending of wrist.Conclusion
Most common symptomsWhile tennis elbow is common, playing tennis is only
The symptoms of Tennis Elbow usually beginone of many activities that can result in this injury. The
gradually. The main symptom is pain, which may beginstrongest risk factor for lateral epicondylosis is age.
with a dull aching or soreness on the outer part of theThe peak incidence is between 30 to 60 years of age.
elbow that goes away within 24 hours after anTennis elbow affects men more than women. Some
activity. As time goes on, it may take longer for thespeculative risk factors for lateral epicondylosis include
pain to go away. The condition may further progresstaking up tennis later in life, unaccustomed strenuous
to pain with any movement, even during everydayactivity, decreased reaction times and speed and
activities, such as lifting a jug of milk. Pain may spreadrepetitive eccentric muscle contractions.
to the hand, other parts of the arm, shoulder, or neck