What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition affecting the tendons that connect the wrist and finger extensor muscles to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. The tendons most commonly involved are the extensor carpi radialis brevis and the common extensor tendon.
What are the main causes?
Tennis elbow is generally caused by overuse and repetitive strain of the elbow. It is particularly common in people who play racquet sports, throwing sports, golf, or activities involving repeated flexion and extension of the wrist and fingers.
Symptoms usually begin gradually with mild discomfort and tend to worsen over time. Patients typically experience pain and/or swelling on the outer side of the elbow, around the lateral epicondyle. The pain is often aggravated by wrist extension and gripping activities, leading to reduced grip strength.
Common symptoms include:
Tenderness when touching the affected area
Stiffness
Muscle weakness
The main causes include:
Manual occupations involving repetitive twisting movements, lifting, or repeated wrist and finger flexion and extension
Sports requiring repetitive arm movements, such as tennis, golf, baseball, and weightlifting
Prolonged use of a computer mouse and keyboard
Risk factors
Certain factors may increase the likelihood of developing tennis elbow or delay recovery, including:
Age, with the condition being most common between 35 and 50 years
Diabetes, which may slow the healing process and increase the risk of complications
Diagnosis and treatment
Tennis elbow is usually diagnosed through a clinical examination and, when necessary, imaging tests such as ultrasound, X-rays, or MRI scans.
Treatment may be either conservative or surgical.
Conservative treatment
Conservative management may include the use of a custom-made night splint and, where appropriate, an elastic elbow support during the day.
During the acute stage, treatment may involve:
Anti-inflammatory therapies such as therapeutic ultrasound and TECAR therapy
Trigger point treatment
Stretching exercises for the wrist flexor and extensor muscles
Wrist and elbow mobilisation
Patients are also given personalised advice on adapting their daily and work-related activities to reduce strain on the affected structures, with particular attention paid to ergonomics.
During the post-acute stage, a progressive strengthening programme is introduced to restore muscle function.
Surgical treatment
When conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery may be considered. The procedure involves removing the degenerated portion of the tendon and stimulating the lateral epicondyle to encourage increased blood flow and tissue healing.
Following surgery, the occupational therapist is responsible for:
Wound care and suture removal
Scar management
Oedema prevention
Active finger mobilisation
Wrist and elbow mobilisation, including flexion-extension, radial-ulnar deviation, and forearm pronation-supination
If inflammation persists during rehabilitation, physical therapies such as therapeutic ultrasound and TECAR therapy may also be used.
If you would like to learn more about the treatment of tennis elbow, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
