Playing tennis and experiencing pain on the outer aspect of your elbow really hampers your game! This pain then persists when holding the dog’s leash and even when you lift the kettle. This is how tennis elbow can affect you.
Ever wondered what tennis elbow actually is? The correct name is extensor tendinopathy, (lateral epicondylitis) which refers to a pathology of the extensor tendons on the lateral aspect of the elbow. This pathology occurs due to overuse of our extensors during gripping, and flexion/extension of the wrist. This creates small tears in the tendon, which if not treated by physiotherapy, can nag you for months.
There are a number of possible reasons as to why it occurs, but here are a few.
It is commonly seen in tennis players, hence the name, but it also seen in other spheres of work like a painter, gardner or an electrician. More recently we are seeing a lot of SUP paddlers struggle with this pathology – as a result of poor core control and oar technique.
If you feel pain or tenderness on the outer aspect of your elbow after playing a racket sport, turning a screwdriver or washing the dishes all day. You may well have tennis elbow.
The previous blog regarding PEACE & LOVE is how you should manage your symptoms, the instant you feel the pain.
Now that you know what it is, what causes it and how to manage it acutely. This part of the blog answers commonly asked questions.
Is tennis elbow curable? | Yes, this condition gets better with appropriate physiotherapy rehabilitation. The goal is to reduce the load to allow the area to heal and then progressively reload to strengthen. This is the one injury where complete rest does not help! |
How can Physio help me get better? | The main aim of physiotherapy is to load progressively through exercise. Manual therapy, soft tissue release, dry needling, and taping can be used in conjunction to the above mentioned. Education and awareness on tennis elbow is also a major focus of our rehabilitation ESWT is also a powerful addition to rehab for pain management. We strongly advise you to have physio before contemplating injection therapy. |
Is it normal to have lateral elbow pain when I am sitting down in my chair? | No, unless you are placing direct pressure on to the epicondlye or nerve. This is posture- related lateral elbow pain. Indicative of a nerve entrapment, which can also be addressed with physiotherapy |
Follow our Next Blog for stretches and exercises for Tennis Elbow
Our Physiotherapists prioritise your health and wellbeing; we’ll listen to all your concerns, make sure you are understood, and we’ll go one step further to tailor an individual treatment plan to your needs.
