Tennis Elbow - What All Should You Know

Despite an athletic name, this medical condition isn t limited to just tennis players. Anyone whose job features the type of motions which involve the forearm muscles may develop tennis elbow. Butchers, plumbers, carpenters, and painters are few of the professionals that are at a higher risk to develop tennis elbow.

Tennis elbow is the injury which is caused due to repetitive overuse of the arm or wrist. The muscles and the tendons in the forearm get strained due to repetitive or strenuous activities. Tiny tears or inflammation may occur near the lateral epicondyle on the outside of the elbow. It may also occur due to banging or knocking of the elbow.

Electromyography is used evaluate the health condition of the muscles and nerve cells (motor neurons) that control them. The physician may ask for an EMG to rule out the nerve compression. An X-ray is used to diagnose the possibilities of existing causes of pain that may be present due to tennis elbow. An MRI may be used in some cases to confirm the excess fluid and swelling in the affected area in the elbow.

In most of the tennis elbow patients, the condition gets better with rest. Anti-inflammatory medicines, a brace for the forearm, and physical therapy are usually recommended to recover early. Surgery is required only in the severe and recalcitrant cases. Surgical options include lengthening or repair of the origin of the extrinsic extensor muscles of the hand at the lateral epicondyle, denervation of the lateral epicondyle, decompression of the posterior interosseous nerve, and the rotation of the anconeus muscle.