Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury involving the muscles used to extend the wrist commonly located at the attachment site of the extensor tendon. These muscles affect the lateral epicondyle on the outside of the elbow and include the extensor digitorum, extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi ulnaris, with the most common culprit being the extensor carpi radialis brevis. The posterior forearm contains several muscles that are involved with extending the digits of the hand and extending and supinating the wrist. The tendons of these muscles come together in a common tendinous sheath, which originates from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus at the elbow joint. In response to minor injury, this point of insertion becomes inflamed, causing pain. The condition is referred to as tennis elbow because the tendons are stressed when swinging a tennis racket, but this condition can develop without playing tennis, making this a common elbow injury.
What are the symptoms of Tennis Elbow?
Some or all the following may be present if you are dealing with Tennis elbow:
- Outer elbow pain while gripping, pronating/supinating the wrist, or extending the wrist backwards
- Outer elbow pain involving twisting movements of the wrist
- Tenderness/ pain localized on the outside of the elbow
- Mild swelling and heat can be present
- Pain/ stiffness straightening or bending the elbow
What causes Tennis Elbow?
If present while playing tennis, an incorrect or overuse tennis swing can be the culprit, but many other sports or activities can lead to similar symptoms.
Over utilization and repetitive movements involving these muscles, such as typing, computer work, or strenuous activity can elicit symptoms. It can also be triggered by a sudden increase in uncommon activities, like yard work, gardening or Spring cleaning.
What can help with these conditions?
Reducing aggravating activities is key plus making lifestyle changes are key in the recovery process.
Try including the following to help reduce symptoms:
- Change activities to reduce pain
- Limit the stress imposed on the tendon by loosening your grip when lifting, driving, or incorporate a different tennis swing
- Avoid painful movements that involve straining the forearm extensor muscles
- Manual therapies to reduce adhesions in the forearm
- Acupuncture/ dry needling
- Chiropractic adjustments
Who might get tennis elbow?
Anyone who regularly performs repetitive activities that vigorously use the forearms, wrists or hands can get tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can affect recreational and professional:
- Baseball and softball players.
- Bowlers.
- Fencers.
- Golfers.
- Tennis, squash, pickleball and racquetball players.
People who work in certain professions are also more prone to tennis elbow:
- Assembly line workers and auto mechanics.
- Butchers and chefs.
- Carpenters, cleaners, painters and plumbers.
- Dentists.
- Gardeners and landscapers.
- Manicurists.
- Musicians.
Sports Injury Treatment at Phase 1 Chiropractic
Phase1 Chiropractic is proud to offer services to Lakewood Ranch, FL and the surrounding communities that can help you heal, recover, and prevent the recurrence of sports injuries, like:
Call or Book Your Appointmentwith Dr. Lee in Lakewood Ranch to help find relief for your joint and elbow pain today!