Tennis Elbow
What is Tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a common condition affecting 1-3% of people whereby pain can significantly impede normal daily activities, such as those at work and at home. The good news, however, is that the condition is very rarely serious and there are things that you can do to set you up for a successful recovery.
Tennis elbow, also known as ‘Lateral elbow tendinopathy’, is called tennis elbow because it has a significant impact on some people who play racquet sports such as tennis or badminton. It is also more common amongst manual workers, although it can happen to anybody.
Tennis elbow occurs when the tendon which attaches your wrist muscles to your outer elbow joint becomes irritated. It is thought that the tendon is unable to keep up with the demands it is being asked to do.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain and tenderness which is localised to the outer elbow.
- A tender spot can usually be felt over the bone on the outer aspect of the elbow.
- The area will also often feel stiff first thing in the morning or after a period of inactivity.
- Pain on gripping activities such as lifting with the palm down, wringing out a dishcloth or pouring from a heavy jug/pan.
- Gripping will often be more painful with a straight, rather than a bent, elbow.
- Pain, felt when starting an activity, often eases but then can increase if continued or when finished.
Factors that may play a role in the development of tennis elbow include:
- A sudden increase or change in activity levels. Particularly activities which involve the arm. An example may be a sudden increase in tasks that you would not do on a regular basis like gardening, spring cleaning or D.I.Y.
- Certain health conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
- Being overweight, particularly weight around the middle.
- Menopausal changes in women aged 40 to 60.
- An inactive, sedentary lifestyle.
- Smoking.
- Tennis elbow can also be triggered by life changes, including periods of stress, illness or the feeling run down.
Call 999 or go to A+E if:
- You’ve had a recent fall or injury, impacting the arm alongside bruising, a change in contours of the elbow, an inability to straighten the elbow or weight bear through the arm.
- The arm is swollen alongside a high temperature or you feel hot and shivery.
- Arm pain has come on suddenly and it occurs with pressure, heaviness or squeezing across your chest.
- The elbow is extremely painful and difficult to move.
4 facts about tennis elbow
It is ok for it to be sore during exercise as you are training a sore area. The tendon needs time to adapt to new activity. Be regular and patient with training and gradually building up over time.
Evidence shows that loading the muscle and tendon (challenging strengthening exercises) is the best treatment for tennis elbow.
Prolonged resting is not good for general health or for the health of the tendon. Tendons stay healthy by using them regularly and can work better by gradually using them more over time.
Tennis elbow is a “clinical diagnosis”, i.e. one that is made in clinic with you and the physiotherapist, taking a careful history and testing the area. Routine scanning of the area is therefore not required. Scans also don’t predict how much pain you feel, and image findings are often unchanged when people do get better. Scans are usually only needed if you have suffered a traumatic injury such as a fall or when symptoms are atypical.