Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow is a painful condition of the tendons in the elbow. It is not limited to tennis players and can affect anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm muscles. This is accompanied by pain and tenderness on the lateral aspect of the elbow and can easily interfere with activities of daily living. Tennis elbow is mostly associated with repeated motions of the wrist as well as arm.

In this blog, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, treatment options, and diagnostic methods for tennis elbow.

Causes of Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow develops through repetitive motion and overuse of the forearm muscles that cause inflammation and minute tears in the tendons attached to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, which is the outermost bone of the upper arm. The common causes include-

·         Repeated results- Tennis elbow can result from repetitive motions of the arms and wrists. These include racquet sports, weightlifting, painting, typing and carpentry.

·         Overuse of Forearm muscles- The repeated use of extensor muscles in this forearm can cause strain to the tendons, especially in the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB).

·         Poor Technic- Failure to use the proper form while lifting heavy weights or playing sports will cause the tendons untimely stress, hence increasing the chance of getting injured.

·         Age and Degeneration- The risk of suffering from tennis elbow increases in people between 30-50 years. Tendons degenerate gradually with age.

·         Work related strain- Jobs such as butcher, plumber and painter require arm movements to repeat themselves many times, thus more prone to having tennis elbow.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

The symptom of tennis elbow usually develop over time and worsens the pain. Common symptoms are-

·         Elbow pain- A burning or aching pain experienced on the outside of the elbow that can radiate or extend to the forearm and into the wrist.

·         Weak grip strength- One cannot grip things, shake hands, or turn doorknobs because of the weakening of the forearm muscles.

·         Tenderness and stiffness- The outer elbow is tender to touch, and stiffness is felt, mainly in the morning.

·         Pain with specific movement- Writing, lifting, or even simple acts like holding a cup can cause pain.

·         Radiating Pain – The pain can radiate down the forearm, making it hard to perform daily activities.

Treatments of Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow commonly heals with conservative therapies, but in several cases, it may need medical attention. Typical treatments include-

Home remedies

Ø  Rest and Activity Modification- Reducing repetitive motions and avoiding activities that may exacerbate the pain allows the tendons to heal.

Ø  Ice Therapy – An ice pack is applied on the area for 15-20 minutes on the several occasions each day may help reduce swelling.

Ø  Pain relievers- Patients can use over-the-counter medications ibuprofen and acetaminophen for pain and swelling.

Physical Therapy-

Ø  Stretching and Strengthening Exercises- Specific exercises, such as wrist extension and flexion, could improve strength and flexibility along the forearm muscles.

Ø  Message therapy- Soft tissue massage improves blood flow and helps heal.

Ø  Splinting/ Bracing- The use of a counterforce brace or forearm strap can help alleviate stress on the affected tendons and reduced pain.

Medical treatment-

Ø  Corticosteroid injections- For extreme pain, one is given steroid injections as a temporary painkiller.

Ø  Platelet-Rich Plasma- The PRP injection involves putting a patient’s platelets into the trouble region to stimulate healing.

Ø  Shockway Therapy- Presents soundwave as treatment that promotes tissue regeneration and reduces the level of pain.

Why Ujala Cygnus is the best ortho hospital in Moradabad?

If you are facing the problem of tennis elbow than consult an orthopaedic surgeon for effective treatment.

Ujala Cygnus is one of the best orthopaedics hospitals in Moradabad as it provides all-inclusive services along with the latest technology. Ujala Cygnus being the best ortho hospital in Moradabad offers all the requirements for orthopaedics treatment, including joint replacement, sports injury management and trauma care.            

Equipped with the most advanced facilities such as including digital radiography, arthroscopy and computer assisted surgeries, Ujala Cygnus the best orthopaedics hospitals in Moradabad ensures accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. At Ujala Cygnus, the Best ortho hospital in Moradabad comprises a team of highly experienced orthopaedic specialists here is committed to restoring the mobility and quality of life of their patients through personalised care.

Committed to the affordability and excellence, Ujala Cygnus has become the best orthopaedic hospital in Moradabad.

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