Tennis Elbow Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Tennis elbow is a painful condition that affects the outside of the elbow. Although it is called tennis elbow, this condition can affect anyone who performs repetitive elbow movements, such as typing on a computer keyboard or using a hammer. Tennis elbow can be debilitating and can disrupt daily activities such as lifting objects, gripping, and even simple tasks like brushing your teeth.
This blog post aims to provide readers with an understanding of the symptoms, causes, and treatment of tennis elbow. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. At Central Florida Bone and Joint Institute, we specialize in treating musculoskeletal injuries, including tennis elbow.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow that worsens when you grip, lift, or twist your forearm or wrist. The pain may even radiate down your arm. You may also experience weakness in your grip and difficulty in extending your forearm. The symptoms usually develop gradually over time and can last for several weeks to months.
Causes
Tennis elbow is caused by repetitive motions of the wrist and forearm. These repetitive motions can cause small tears in the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle, which is a bony protrusion on the outside of the elbow. The tendons become inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort. Activities that can cause tennis elbow include playing tennis, golfing, typing, painting, cooking, and even carrying heavy bags or boxes.
Diagnosis
If you are experiencing the symptoms of tennis elbow, it is vital to see a physician specializing in musculoskeletal injuries. Your physician will perform a physical exam and may order imaging tests such as an MRI or an X-ray to rule out the possibility of a fracture or other musculoskeletal disorders.
Treatment
The initial treatment for tennis elbow is rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) to reduce inflammation and pain. Your physician may recommend taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Physical therapy may be recommended to strengthen the muscles surrounding the elbow and to prevent future elbow injuries.
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or remove the damaged tendons. At Central Florida Bone and Joint Institute, our surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures that reduce post-operative pain and enable a quicker recovery.
Conclusion
Tennis elbow can be a painful condition that can disrupt your daily activities and even your work. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in treating tennis elbow. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms, you should seek medical attention from a physician specializing in musculoskeletal injuries. The experts at Central Florida Bone and Joint Institute are available to diagnose and treat your tennis elbow condition, enabling you to get back to your normal activities as quickly as possible.