HEALTH

The Ultimate Guide for Tennis Elbow

What is tennis elbow?

Tennis elbow is a repetitive stress injury, also known as Lateral epicondylosis. The lateral side refers to the outer part of the arm when standing upright with your arms at your sides. Tennis elbow is often referred to as external (lateral) elbow pain or internal (medial) elbow pain, but it often arises from overuse of the forearm muscles that straighten the fingers and wrist, resulting in pain in the elbow and forearm.

Over time, overuse and repetitive use may damage the tendonsFibrous cords that connect muscles to bones or other muscles. The tendons associated with the elbow become swollen and inflamed. Simple movements such as shaking hands or turning a doorknob can cause moderate to severe pain. Tennis elbow pain is equally common in men and women, but occurs most often in people ages 30 to 50.

What causes tennis elbow?

Lateral epicondylosis is one of the most common diseases of the arm disturbances, Which may lead to a significant decrease in mobility and function. The area around the outer elbow bone becomes irritated and inflamed by sports or other repetitive daily activities. Many people who have never played tennis will develop tennis elbow. Often times, this inflammation of the bony part of the elbow is caused by simple daily activities such as gardening, using scissors, or carrying a heavy bag.

It is estimated that less than three percent of the world’s population has the condition, but only about five percent of them actually play tennis. The most common cause of tennis elbow in tennis players is using the wrong tennis racket or an incorrect backhand stroke. Using a tightly stretched racket increases the force on a player’s arm, and hitting the ball with the wrong part of the racket may also contribute.

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Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain on the outside of the elbow, point pain (pain to touch) at the outermost point of the elbow, pain when gripping or grasping something in the hand around the wrist, stiffness in the elbow in the morning and an audible pop, and pain when raising the hand using the wrist With the palm facing down on a weighted object.

Tennis elbow treatment

Treatment and management of tennis elbow focuses on relieving pain Discomfort is caused by tension on the muscle tissue and tendons in the affected area. Modifying the repetitive activities that caused the condition is also addressed. Avoiding activities that require gripping, twisting, or lifting movements will help restore damaged tissue. Using an ice pack can promote blood circulation by reducing swelling of the affected area. Painkillers are often recommended.

Tennis elbow exercises

Tennis elbow exercises can help strengthen weak forearm muscles, which may be the root cause of the problem. These exercises can also serve as follow-up recovery therapy or rehabilitation exercises for those who have undergone tennis elbow treatment or tennis elbow surgery.

  • Lying down with dumbbells: The flat muscle is the large forearm muscle that attaches to the elbow. It is responsible for extending the palm of the hand upward, and is often involved in the movements that cause tennis elbow. Grab a light to moderate dumbbell and rotate your forearm so it is lifted forward and down.
  • Wrist extension: The muscle group responsible for flexing the wrist is the carpal extensors. These are small muscles that connect to the elbow and are susceptible to overuse, especially when playing racquet sports. Hold a light to medium weight dumbbell and rest the forearm on the thigh or table while hanging the wrist Palm down From the end of the thigh or table. Keep the forearm in place while bending the wrist up, and repeat.
  • Wrist flexion: The group of muscles that work opposite the carpal extensors are the carpal flexors. These are small muscles that connect to the elbow and are also susceptible to overuse, leading to inflammation and pain. Hold a light to medium weight dumbbell and rest the forearm on the thigh or table while hanging the wrist Palm up From the end of the thigh or table. Keep the forearm in place while bending the wrist up and repeat this exercise. This exercise is also known as wrist flexion.
    Tennis elbow exercises

Your doctor may recommend steroid injections To help reduce inflammation and pain. Steroid injections for tennis elbow are often used as a last resort, as they can have bothersome side effects, including pain at the injection site, atrophy, and damage to the tendon around the elbow. Physical therapy, splints and braces, blood injections, shock wave therapy, and surgery are among the most advanced treatments used to manage tennis elbow.

Rest is the first choice for treating tennis elbow. Because this allows the body to heal itself. Applying an anti-inflammatory, as well as alternating heat and ice, are the second steps in treatment. For long-term support during healing, devices designed to take pressure off the affected area called “tennis elbow straps” are helpful. Exercises, stretching and massage have also been found to be effective.

If none of these traditional options help a person get the relief they need for their elbow condition, they may consider alternative treatments before surgery. Acupuncture is one of the alternative treatments used, along with heat therapy, splinting, laser therapy, physical therapy, and trigger point therapy.

Acupuncture for tennis elbow

Acupuncture combined with massage has been found to be effective in treating tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis. Research involving 90 athletes concluded that acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine massage are effective in treating lateral epicondylitis.(1)

The participating athletes were divided into three groups. The first group received only acupuncture. The second group received massage only, while the third group received a combination of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine massage. All three groups experienced significantly positive clinical outcomes. The combination of acupuncture and massage improved better compared to the other combinations, suggesting a synergistic effect.(2)

In a smaller but similar study involving fire acupuncture, Participants were treated with acupuncture on trigger points, or ashi points, on the most painful points on the affected elbow. Researchers found that fiery acupuncture patients felt pain relief and could move the joint without restriction in all directions.(3)

Massage for tennis elbow

A massage therapist may be helpful in dealing with tennis elbow pain. A common technique used to relieve elbow pain is called friction, Or local manipulation of soft tissue using the fingers and thumb. Friction can be done at home without seeking professional help, but most non-practitioners will not know what to look for or how to deliver the treatment, which is why it is best to use a qualified sports massage therapist. Deep massage, stretching and strengthening of affected tissues can also be beneficial if done correctly.(4)

Tennis elbow brace

A tennis elbow brace or tennis elbow strap located on the upper forearm provides compression that may help relieve symptoms of tennis elbow. A brace is very useful when you need to twist or hold something. Wearing a tennis elbow brace or strap around the forearm just below the elbow will relieve pressure on the affected tendon and spread forces throughout the arm.

The fit of the brace or strap for your tennis elbow is one of the most important factors when considering a tennis elbow brace. It should fit tightly to provide compression and support without cutting off circulation. You’ll also want to make sure it’s a breathable brace that absorbs sweat when you wear it. A good elbow wrap, belt or brace along with proper rest and anti-inflammatory agents is the simplest and most natural form of treatment and is the way most people treat tennis elbow.

Tennis elbow surgery

Surgical treatment of tennis elbow should only be used as a last resort. Tennis elbow surgery may be recommended when symptoms do not respond to non-surgical treatments after 6 to 12 months. Most tennis elbow surgeries involve removing diseased muscle and reattaching healthy muscle to bone using arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopic surgeries allow the elbow joint to be viewed to ensure there is no other source of pain, as well as to remove the damaged tendon without separating the tendon from the bone. Unfortunately, many studies suggest that surgery may not be effective for treating tennis elbow in the long term.(5) (6)

How long does it take for tennis elbow to heal?

Once you rest and begin treatment, you will likely start to feel better within 2 to 4 weeks, but it may take up to 6 to 12 months for the tendon to heal. In extreme cases, the pain lasts for two years or more. If your pain and symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks of home treatment, your doctor may first suggest a corticosteroid injection, which can give you some short-term relief until you can begin rehabilitation treatments and exercises.

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