Tennis Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

 Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, this injury doesn't just affect tennis players; it can occur in anyone who engages in repetitive arm, elbow, or wrist movements. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for tennis elbow can help manage and prevent this painful condition. 

Tennis elbow is typically caused by overuse and muscle strain. The tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow become inflamed due to repetitive motions. This can occur not only in sports like tennis, but also in activities such as:

• Painting
• Carpentry
• Typing or using a computer mouse
• Gardening

The repeated motion and stress can lead to tiny tears in the tendons, resulting in pain and tenderness.

The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. This pain may also radiate down the forearm and into the wrist. Other common symptoms include:

• Weak grip strength
• Difficulty lifting or gripping objects
• Pain when shaking hands or turning a doorknob
• Stiffness in the elbow

The pain usually starts gradually and worsens over time, particularly with continued repetitive activity.

 Treatment for tennis elbow aims to relieve pain and promote healing. Options include:

Rest and Activity Modification:
Avoid activities that exacerbate the pain.

Modify techniques to reduce stress on the elbow.

Physical Therapy, Bracing, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT):
Exercises to stretch and strengthen the forearm muscles.

Manual therapy to improve muscle function.  Using a brace for tennis elbow can provide support to the affected area, reducing strain on the forearm muscles and tendons during activities. Shock Wave therapy  can reduce pain and inflammation while promoting tissue regeneration and improving blood flow to the area. 

Medications:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation.

Interventional Treatments:
      Steroid injections  involve injecting anti-inflammatory medication directly into the affected tendon to reduce pain and swelling, providing temporary relief and facilitating the healing process. 

 Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections  involves using a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, providing pain relief and improving function. 

In severe cases that don't respond to other treatments, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove damaged tissue.