Tennis Elbow

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Inflammation of the tendons that attach the extensor carpi radialis brevis to the outer bony prominence (lateral epicondyle) of the elbow causes the condition tennis elbow. Certain repetitive movements of the wrist can cause this condition. Tennis elbow can occur in anyone who strains the tendons of the forearm and is not limited to tennis players. For example, it is not unusual for tennis elbow to occur from overuse injury in golfers who have a misguided backswing or in home-repair workers who must repetitively tighten screws down with screw-driving motion. Lateral epicondylitis is another name for tennis elbow. Lateral epicondylitis is a more accurate term for injury to the outer elbow tendon from non-tennis activities.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

Any repetitive motion of the wrist, including tennis, hedge clipping, excessive use of a hammer or screwdriver, painting, or any activity that requires excessive constant gripping or squeezing can cause tennis elbow.

In the game of tennis, the following maneuvers can lead to tennis elbow:

• One-handed backhand with poor form or technique with wrist extension
• A late forehand swing resulting in bending the wrist significantly
• Snapping and turning the wrist while serving with full power

What Are Tennis Elbow Treatments?

Home care with ice, rest, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are the mainstays of treatment. If these do not produce the desired result, the physician may choose to begin a second line of therapy.

• An elbow strap or splint may help take the pressure off the inflamed tendon.
• A physical therapist may have a patient perform different exercises for the forearm muscles and tendons to increase flexibility and strength. Patients usually perform these exercises at home. Physical therapy gradual exercises and stretches followed by cold applications can expedite recovery from tennis elbow. Physical therapy can also provide methods to avoid recurrent injury to the elbow by preventative exercises and stretches, as well as assessing risk factors for the forearm and tennis elbow.
• Sports medicine doctors most commonly assess tennis elbow injuries.