Tennis elbow is a common name for lateral epicondylitis. It's an injury caused by overusing your arm and can be caused by various activities, not just playing tennis. The pain is typically located where your forearm muscles' tendons attach to the body on the outside of your elbow. According to Mayo Clinic, it typically gets better on its own within six months to two years. However, the pain can spread from that spot to the wrist and rest of the arm. Over-the-counter pain medications usually make tennis elbow feel much better. Surgery is rare.
Symptoms
Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain when you straighten out your wrist or pain that travels from your elbow into your wrist or forearm. The pain may worsen over time and be especially bad when you grip things such as a doorknob or jar. As part of tennis elbow, your forearm may also be weak or you may not be able to hold everyday objects such as a mug. The pain is very much like that of golfer's elbow except it's on the outside of the elbow, whereas golfer's elbow is painful inside.
Considerations
Symptoms can worsen, causing the need for medical care. See your doctor if the pain doesn't go away with pain medications, ice or rest. If, in addition to pain and tenderness, your elbow looks deformed or is hot and inflamed and you're experiencing a fever, consult your doctor; do likewise if you can't bend your arm of if you think you have a broken bone.
Complications
If you notice the symptoms of tennis elbow but ignore them, they can lead to complications. You can experience chronic pain, meaning it does not go away over a long period of time. The pain will affect you the most when lifting or holding objects. If you use your arm too much before the tennis elbow has healed, this could also lead to chronic pain.
Treatment
Treat painful tennis elbow symptoms by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Your doctor of physical therapist may recommend exercises to strengthen the muscles. You should also examine the way you use your elbow and determine the best way to reduce stress on the joint. Orthotics may help reduce the stress. This includes wearing braces or straps. Surgery is recommended only if all other options have failed.
P.R.I.C.E.
Protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation are called for when dealing with tennis elbow. Protect it by not using it as much. Stop activities that cause the tennis elbow to flare up. Rest your elbow but don't entirely stop using it. If you wear a splint at night, it can help alleviate symptoms. Use a cold pack or compression sleeve on your elbow if the injury has caused swelling. Wrap the area with a bandage or elastic wrap and keep your elbow elevated, above heart level, whenever possible to reduce swelling.
Tags: your elbow, tennis elbow, chronic pain, golfer elbow, injury caused