Tennis elbow often gets better on its own, but the majority of
people who have persistent pain show improvement through non-surgical
treatment.
Tennis elbow is actually a misnomer in that it occurs in roughly
only five percent of people who play tennis. Anatomically, the cause of
tennis elbow is repetitive use of the forearm extensor muscles,
especially if they weren't used much previously. Practically any
occupation, sporting endeavor, or household activity that has repeated
use of the forearm and wrist may lead to this condition. Certain
activities and occupations are more commonly associated with tennis
elbow, such as plumbing, painting, fishing, butchering, computer use,
and playing certain musical instruments. Tennis elbow is most common in
adults between the ages of 30 and 50, but can affect people of all ages.
Symptoms
People with tennis elbow complain of
pain that expands from the outer elbow into their forearm and wrist. The
pain primarily occurs where the tendons of your forearm attach to the
bony areas on the outside elbow. In addition to pain, people with tennis
elbow experience weakness that makes it particularly difficult to hold a
coffee cup, turn a doorknob, or even shake hands. Tennis elbow can
cause weakness when twisting or grabbing objects.
Tests
In many cases, your doctor can diagnosis
tennis elbow simply by listening to you describe your symptoms,
performing a physical examination, and learning about your lifestyle and
activities. However, if your physician suspects other reasons like a
pinched nerve, fracture, or arthritis are causing your pain, he may
suggest X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or Electromyography
(EMG).
Treatment
A chiropractor will be able to
determine if a misalignment in your spine, neck, or shoulders may be
causing an overcompensation injury. In some cases, a basic chiropractic
adjustment may be all your need to stop your symptoms of pain. Your
chiropractor will also work with you to determine which activities may
have caused your injury and will have you rest your arm while
refraining from the trigger activities. Your chiropractor will also
likely tell you to apply ice to the outside elbow two or three times a
day for two to three weeks. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
(NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, help reduce pain and
inflammation while your elbow is healing. Compression, by using an
elastic bandage, is helpful to provide relief and prevent further
injury. Lastly, elevating your elbow whenever possible will limit or
prevent swelling.
If rest and ice do not alleviate your tennis elbow symptoms, then a
physical therapy plan is often the recommended next step. You will
learn exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons in
your arm. Your chiropractor or physical therapist will also work with
you to develop proper form and technique regarding the activity that was
the likely culprit to developing your tennis elbow. Depending on the
severity of the injury, your chiropractor or physical therapist may
suggest you wear a brace or forearm strap, which will reduce stress on
the injured tissue while it heals.
Source: National Institute of Health and Mayo Clinic
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