Elbow Epicondylitis – Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis of the elbow is an inflammation of the tendons located on the outer side of the elbow and causes pain in the elbow and forearm. It is a fairly painful condition that develops due to excessive and repetitive use of the muscles and tendons around the elbow joint. The condition is not necessarily related to tennis; however, it commonly affects tennis players due to the repetitive use of the muscles in the area.
Elbow Epicondylitis: What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of lateral epicondylitis include pain and weakness radiating from the outside of the elbow to the forearm and wrist. The pain becomes more intense when the patient:
- holds an object in their hands
- lifts something, such as a bag or a glass of water
- performs twisting movements of the hand
What can cause tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is caused by overuse of the tendons and strain on the muscles in the area. Tennis elbow can result from:
- tennis
- fencing
- weightlifting
- carpentry
- typing
- painting, knitting
Repetitive movements and contraction of the forearm muscles, which are responsible for extending and lifting the wrist and fingers, cause microtears in the tendon, followed by inflammation and pain.
How is the diagnosis made?
The condition is diagnosed through a clinical examination by a specialized orthopaedic surgeon. The doctor will assess the range of motion of the arm, palpate the outer surface of the elbow and perform an ultrasound examination of the area. Sometimes, further imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI scan are required to rule out other more serious conditions, such as arthritis or ligament injury of the elbow.
What is the appropriate treatment – management?
Treatment for tennis elbow is usually conservative and includes:
- Rest: resting the forearm and avoiding additional strain on the arm
- Physiotherapy: to strengthen and stretch the muscles in the surrounding area
- Periodic use of a special epicondylitis brace
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Injection of autologous biological factors (PRP) into the area
Conservative treatment may take up to 6 months to be effective. However, if even after this period the patient has not experienced relief from the symptoms, surgical treatment of the condition is recommended. Surgical treatment is performed with elbow arthroscopy. This minimally invasive and bloodless technique offers a definitive solution with excellent functional outcomes. Hospitalization is not required and the patient is discharged from the hospital within a few hours.
Elbow Epicondylitis: Prevention
To reduce the risk of developing the condition, it is important to pay attention to technique during every movement and exercise. The following are essential:
- warm-up
- correct choice of racket grip thickness
- use of the correct racket size and weight
- good-quality sports shoes
- muscle strengthening of the surrounding area
If you also suffer from tennis elbow, consult the specialized orthopaedic surgeon Andreas Leonidou for an individualized treatment plan based on your needs.
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