The medical terminology of Tennis Elbow is called Lateral Epicondylitis. It is a condition caused by inflammation of the muscles and tendons attached in your forearm. Tendons connects your muscles to your bones. Due to constant and repetitive motion of the arm, the tendons at the elbow end of a certain muscle – the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle – may develop small tears. The tears lead to inflammation and may put stress on the rest of your arm, making it painful to lift and grip things.

Tennis elbow is a common injury that usually heals with minor treatment, but adequate rest is recommended. If left untreated, it can become chronic. Below we discuss what causes it, signs and symptoms to look out for and how your health care provider will diagnose and provide with treatment.

Causes

  • Any repetitive movement of the wrist that requires constant gripping or squeezing can cause tennis elbow. Activities include hedge clipping, excessive use of a hammer or a screwdriver, painting and more can cause tennis elbow.

  • In the game of tennis, hitting a backhand puts some stress on your forearm muscles which repeatedly contracts when you hit the ball. Poor technique or tight racquet grip may also increase stress in the tendons.

Tennis elbow affects up to 3% of the population, particularly adults between 30 to 50 years of age. But less than 5% of cases are linked to tennis. There is also a Golfer’s elbow that differs from tennis elbow in that the pain is focused on the inside of the elbow. Although, the causes are like that of tennis elbow.

Signs & Symptoms

The most common symptom of tennis elbow is tenderness and an ache on the outside of the elbow. Over time, if left untreated, the ache turns into a chronic pain. The outside of your elbow may become too painful to touch. Sometimes tennis elbow affects both arms. Other symptoms include morning stiffness of the elbow with persistent aching and soreness of the forearm muscles. Elbow pain is worse when grasping or holding an object.

Diagnosis

The doctor may use any or all the following tests to diagnose tennis elbow:

  • During the physical exam, your doctor will feel your elbow and possibly other joints. Your nerves, muscles, bones and skin are also examined.

  • X-ray images may be required if the symptoms suggest another problem in the elbow joint.

  • The doctor may also ask you questions about your activity level, occupation, recent recreational activities, medication and other medical problems.

Treatment

Your doctor may ask you to do some simple actions to see whether you have a tennis elbow. These include straightening your wrist against pressure and checking for pain in parts of your arm. Your doctor may then suggest an elbow strap or splint to help take the pressure off the inflamed tendon. A physical therapist may have the patient perform different exercises to increase flexibility and strength. These exercises are usually performed at home.

Majority of people have pain relief within 12 months of conservative therapy like putting ice, taking rest and anti-inflammatory medications. Failure to follow through on a therapy plan frequently leads to recurrence.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 30, 2018 12:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).