A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W

TENNIS ELBOW

What is Tennis Elbow ?

Tennis elbow is an acute or chronic pain on the outer side of the elbow joint which may spread down towards the wrist and the hand. It particularly affects young to middle-aged people.

How does Tennis Elbow occur ?

The condition often appears to come on without any prior injury, or may follow strenuous use of the arm such as playing tennis or carrying heavy objects. Repeated and sometimes unaccustomed movements of the elbow of any sort, for example a screwing motion, may be the cause of this ill-defined condition. Some doctors believe the pain is caused by single or multiple tears in the sinew which attaches the muscle to the bone on the outer side of the elbow. Others believe it is due to inflammation in the bone itself at the point where sinews are attached. In some patients, the cause may be overgrowth of the inner lining of the joint which lies between the two bones on the outer side of the elbow.

Treatment involved for Tennis Elbow

The first and most obvious thing to do is to rest the elbow. You should also avoid the movement or activities that produced the symptoms in the first place. If this is not possible or desirable, then various types of physiotherapy will often help. Some sportsmen may be helped by a plastic strap which is worn over the elbow. In addition, you may be given an anti-inflammatory drug for a short period. If these measures fail and there is still tenderness on the outer side of the elbow, then injection with local anaesthetic and cortisone can produce a dramatic, though sometimes temporary cure. Up to three injections may be given at 6 to 8 week intervals. This works by combining drugs which deaden pain and dampen down inflammation. If injection fails, there is an 80% chance of curing the symptoms by doing an operation under general anaesthetic to separate part of the muscle and sinew from its bony attachment. This is followed by a period in bandage or plaster to rest the elbow for about 2 weeks.

During treatment for Tennis Elbow

After injection with local anaesthetic and cortisone, symptoms may be worse for a day or two. You may need to take painkilling tablets for this. Occasionally there may be minor changes in the texture of the skin after injection.

After Treatment

Try if possible to avoid the movements which caused the symptoms in the first place. One-third to one-half of people who suffer from tennis elbow will have further attacks.

If Tennis Elbow is left Untreated

In the long run, there may be no difference in those treated and those untreated. However, those who have been treated probably have a shorter span of symptoms.