What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis Elbow (Lateral epicondylitis) is the most common overuse syndrome in the elbow. It is a tendon overload injury involving the extensor muscles of your forearm. Movements such as heavy lifting, computer use, heavy stirring and forceful pronation/supination can all overload this site. This condition can occur in many sports which require a bat or a racquet as well as with people with repetitive movements in their occupations such as electricians, carpenters and gardeners.
What are the signs and symptoms of tennis elbow?
+ Palpation on the extensor muscles origin, on the lateral epicondyle
+ Whilst squeezing your fist on a particular angle
+ Wrist extension (bringing a closed fist upwards)
+ Most patients also report weakness in grip strength and difficulty carrying objects
What is the treatment of tennis elbow?
A physiotherapist will start by trying to remove or modify activities you’re doing to help to de-load the tissue and help with pain.
The physiotherapist will try a variety of manual therapy such as dry needling, soft tissue massage and mobilisation in the aim of desensitising painful structures. Once pain is improving, a strengthening program will be prescribed to help strengthen the tendon so it can withstand normal day to day loads and change its mechanical structure.