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Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is characterised by pain, tenderness and inflammation around the bony part of your outer elbow and the muscles of your forearm, most often in your dominant arm.
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is characterised by pain, tenderness and inflammation around the bony part of your outer elbow and the muscles of your forearm, most often in your dominant arm. This pain is exacerbated by movements of your forearm extensor muscles, especially if combined with a weight. Your pain may vary significantly, from being mild when you move your arm, to pain that disturbs your sleep.
Tennis elbow is common and has peak incidence occurring at 40 to 50 years of age. It often occurs due to trauma or overuse of these muscles that attach to your elbow or straighten your wrist. Repetitive extension of the wrist, twisting of the forearm and grip-intensive activities contribute to this type of strain. It usually lasts for six months to two years and re-occurs frequently.
Often self-help remedies will clear up your tennis elbow. It’s advisable to stop activities that strain your lateral epicondyle muscles and adapt any movements that may be causing your symptoms.
Painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will help relieve the pain and swelling. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists have published some simple exercises to help ease pain and prevent future symptoms of tennis elbow. Most cases of tennis elbow will ease within about two weeks.
If your tennis elbow is persistent (over two to four weeks) you should see your doctor. They may recommend a steroid injection into the tender area or refer you for physiotherapy. If your tennis elbow continues to give you severe pain, then surgery may be recommended to remove any damaged tissues and relieve your pain.
Physiotherapy can help you to manage your tennis elbow pain and also improve your strength and flexibility to help prevent its recurrence.
Studies have shown physiotherapy to be the most effective way of managing tennis elbow compared to steroid injections or just advice alone.
Your physiotherapist will initially perform a thorough assessment of your elbow, arm and neck, and understand your symptoms and your lifestyle. They will discuss the best strategy for your individual circumstances and they can utilise a range of treatments for tennis elbow, offer advice and knowledge about your condition, and help you return to your normal activities.
Physiotherapy treatment will aim to:
- Reduce elbow pain.
- Facilitate tissue repair.
- Restore normal joint range of motion and function.
- Restore normal muscle length, strength and movement patterns.
- Normalise your upper limb neurodynamics.
- Normalise your cervical joint function.
Physiotherapy treatment can include:
- Gentle mobilisation of your neck and elbow joints
- Electrotherapy
- Elbow taping
- Muscle stretches and strengthening
- Neural mobilisations
- Massage
- Tennis elbow brace or epicondylitis clasp to reduce the strain on your elbow if you need to make repetitive hand and elbow movements.
Ashtead Hospital is proud to offer a first class physiotherapy service provided by a highly qualified team of senior physiotherapists who are all HCPC registered and members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
They offer a full range of physiotherapy services, a rehabilitation gym packed with modern equipment, and a tailored patient programme utilising the latest techniques.
Their physiotherapists will perform an initial assessment of your tennis elbow and then develop an individual programme for your needs to help alleviate your pain and get you back to your normal activities as soon as possible.
If your tennis elbow does persist their physiotherapists will be able to refer you directly to a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Ashtead Hospital who will determine if surgery is recommended.
You can book a convenient appointment with one of Ashtead Hospital's Chartered physiotherapists by calling 01372 221400 or by completing the online contact form.
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