Tennis Elbow

Are You Suffering From Tendinitis?

Check out this video to see how it's caused.

What You Need To Know

Most of the muscles that extend down your wrist are attached to a bony bump on the outside of your elbow that is known as the lateral epicondyle.

Sometimes, either by injury or overuse, the site where these muscles insert can start to become either irritated or inflamed. This condition is known as lateral epicondylitis or "tennis elbow"- although the majority of those affected do not have to play tennis.

This is why you feel pain.

The most common way for this condition to be created is from an activity that is involving repetitive wrist extension.

Some examples of this include i.e., tennis, carpentry, bricklaying, knitting, playing piano, typing, or lifting objects with your palm facing down. The condition is much more likely to strike your dominant arm.

The pain will typically begin as an intermittent or gradual discomfort during activity and then it progresses so that even simple activities, like holding a coffee cup, can become painful. Pain may in some cases increase when you straighten your arm, grip a doorknob or shake hands. The pain can also vary from mild to severe and commonly radiates into the forearm, sometimes to the wrist.

How We Treat It

Without any treatment, "tennis elbow" will often linger - 80% of patients still report pain after one year.

In most cases, the first step in a successful treatment plan is to modify or eliminate activities that cause these symptoms. At night, do your best to avoid sleeping with your elbow compressed beneath your pillow. Also, you should try to avoid lifting heavy objects with your palm facing down. Tennis or racquetball players may need to consider changing to a lighter racket or try a smaller handle.

Once the cause is eliminated tennis elbow responds well to conservative care. Soft-tissue techniques and extremity adjustments are valuable in breaking up scar tissue and adhesions and restoring normal joint motion. Therapy modalities such as interferential electric stimulation, ultrasound or laser therapy are valuable in reducing pain and inflammation. An individualized exercise plan will be prescribed to prevent reoccurrences.

​​​​​​​You can get relief.

Become pain-free when you book a visit today.

Here's how easy it is:

1. Meet With Us

2. Create A Plan

3. Let's Execute the Plan Together.