What Is Tennis Elbow? Symptoms, Causes, and At-Home Treatment

What is tennis elbow? If you’re an avid tennis player, you’ve probably heard of this condition. It is a common and painful overuse injury that can be a nuisance to deal with. It’s caused by the overuse of muscles in the forearm, which leads to a condition called lateral epicondylitis. In this article, we’ll discuss what tennis elbow is, the most common causes and symptoms, and some at-home treatments you can try to alleviate the pain.

Tennis elbow can affect anyone, regardless of whether they play tennis or not. It can linger for weeks or months, and in some cases, it can turn into a chronic issue. Understanding the cause and symptoms can be the first step towards curing it. Read on to find out what you can do to prevent this condition and how to treat it if you’re already suffering from it.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a common type of overuse injury that affects the outside of the elbow, making it difficult to do everyday activities such as lifting objects or turning a doorknob. It is caused by repetitive movements of the forearm muscles and tendons that attach to the elbow. The medical name for this condition is lateral epicondylitis.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of tennis elbow are pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow when you lift, grip, or twist your arm. This pain can spread down your forearm and up into your biceps muscle. Other symptoms include weakness in your grip strength, numbness in your forearm, and decreased range of motion in your elbow joint.

Causes

Tennis elbow occurs when the forearm muscles and tendons become overloaded from repetitive movements. This can be from activities such as using a screwdriver, playing an instrument, painting, typing, opening jars or bottles, or playing sports. Overuse injuries can also happen when a person repeatedly uses their arms for an activity that’s too strenuous or demanding.

Diagnosing

If you suspect that you have tennis elbow, make an appointment with a doctor to get it checked out. Your doctor will look at your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms and any activities that may be causing them. He or she may also order imaging tests to rule out any other medical conditions that may be causing your pain.

At-home Treatment

The goal of treatment for tennis elbow is to reduce pain and inflammation and improve mobility in the elbow joint. Depending on how severe the condition is, it can take a few weeks to several months to successfully treat it. Here are some treatment options you can do at home. It is important to consult a doctor before attempting to treat your condition at home, to ensure that any treatment you may want to try is safe.

• Rest: Refrain from activities that cause pain or increase inflammation until your symptoms improve.
• Stretching: Gently stretch your muscles every day to help keep them strong and flexible.
• Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Ice and Heat Therapy: Applying ice packs or heating pads to the affected area can help reduce pain symptoms.
• Compression and Bracing: Consider wearing an elbow brace during physical activities. This will provide support so you don’t overstretch your muscles.

Professional Treatment

If your symptoms don’t improve with at-home treatment options, it’s time to consult a doctor who specializes in treating musculoskeletal conditions. Your doctor can recommend one or more treatments depending on the severity of your condition.

• Physical Therapy: A professionally designed program involving stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, and massage therapy can help improve your symptoms.
• Steroid Injections: Corticosteroid shots are often used to decrease inflammation and reduce pain. Consult a doctor if you are considering this option to determine if this is right for you.
• Surgery: Severe cases may require surgery. This involves repairing worn tendons with sutures and grafts for greater strength.

Conclusion

Tennis elbow can be a troublesome condition to deal with, but with the appropriate prevention methods and treatments, you can manage the pain and discomfort associated with it. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help strengthen the muscles in the elbow and forearm, while rest and ice or heat therapy can help reduce pain and inflammation. If your symptoms don’t improve with at-home treatments, it’s important to consult a doctor who can provide professional treatment, such as physical therapy, steroid injections, or even surgery. Staying active and engaged in physical activities can help you maintain and improve your overall physical health and well-being.