What is Tennis Elbow?
If you’re experiencing pain on the outside of your elbow, it could be a condition known as Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis). You don’t need to be a tennis player to have tennis elbow as it can affect anyone who has been repeatedly extending their wrist.
Tennis elbow refers to pain around the outer part of the elbow. It occurs when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow are overused, leading to pain and difficulty when performing daily tasks.
Common Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow occurs when there is excessive or repetitive stress placed on the wrist extensor muscles, located on the outside of the elbow joint. For example, with repetitive activities like typing, painting, using hand tools, or lifting heavy objects.
It’s commonly seen between the ages of 20 and 65 but more likely over the age of 40 and slightly more common in the female population. Factors such as smoking and diabetes can be associated with tennis elbow and you are more likely to get it in your dominant hand, but this is not always the case.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The most common symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow, which may also radiate down the forearm. Other symptoms can include:
- Tenderness or swelling around the elbow joint
- Weakness in the forearm, making it difficult to grip objects
- Pain when performing tasks like lifting, gripping, or extending your wrist.
How long does it take to recover
Although the condition is not serious, as most people will make a full recovery, it can often take some time to completely resolve. Recovery time can be anything between 3 – 18 months for most people.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
While tennis elbow can be painful and frustrating, the good news is that physiotherapy can be an effective treatment option. Through a combination of targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education, physiotherapists can help alleviate pain and restore function to the elbow.
If you suspect you have tennis elbow, don’t wait for the pain to get worse. A physiotherapist can assess your condition, provide a personalised treatment plan, and help you return to your daily activities with less pain and improved function.
If you are suffering from elbow pain, please give us a call on 9859 5585 or Book Now with one of our friendly physiotherapists.