Tennis elbow: symptoms and treatment

Tennis elbow is a painful inflammation and degeneration of the tendons on the outer side of the elbow, where the muscles that extend the wrist and fingers attach. Although the name suggests tennis, tennis elbow most often occurs in people who make repetitive wrist and forearm movements in everyday work, not in athletes. It develops from small, repeated injuries of the tendon that, with constant strain, do not have time to heal and turn into a chronic condition. Tennis elbow is one of the most common causes of elbow pain in adults.

Symptoms of tennis elbow

The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outer side of the elbow that spreads down the forearm. The symptoms are recognized by:

• pain when gripping, shaking hands, turning a key or lifting a cup,
• increased pain when lifting a load with an outstretched arm,
• tenderness to touch on the bony bump of the outer elbow,
• weakening of the grip,
• stiffness of the elbow, especially in the morning or after rest.

The pain at first appears only with effort, but if the condition is neglected it can become constant and interfere with the simplest everyday movements, such as pouring water from a bottle or carrying a bag.

Causes and risk factors

Tennis elbow is caused by repeated strain of the forearm muscles. The most common causes and risk factors are:

• long computer work and constant use of a mouse,
• work with hand tools, a screwdriver, pliers and similar,
• racket sports and repetitive swings,
• lifting and carrying loads in an incorrect position,
• occupations such as craftsman, cook, hairdresser, bricklayer and musician.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis is made by examination, pressure on the painful spot and special tests in which resistance to lifting the wrist causes the characteristic elbow pain. Additional imaging, such as ultrasound, is done if another cause is suspected or if recovery fails to come. In the large majority of cases tennis elbow is successfully treated without surgery.

Treatment of tennis elbow

Treatment of tennis elbow at the Dynamic Fizio center combines reducing pain and inflammation with gradually restoring the strength and function of the arm through physical therapy. We most often use:

• tecar therapy, which speeds the recovery of the tendon and reduces pain,
• electrotherapy and ultrasound to reduce pain and inflammation,
• exercises to strengthen and stretch the forearm muscles, with gradual loading,
• manual techniques and advice on unloading the elbow in everyday work.

So called eccentric strengthening exercises are especially important, as they gradually adapt the tendon to effort and make it more resistant, which reduces the risk of the problem returning.

Tips for faster recovery

For lasting recovery it is important to temporarily reduce the movements that cause pain, take breaks during repetitive work, set up the workstation properly and not lift a load with an outstretched arm. In some people a forearm brace also helps by unloading the tendon attachment during activity.

How treatment works at our center

Treatment starts with a free first examination, where we determine how irritated the tendon is, which movements cause pain and what in your work or training keeps the problem going. Based on that we build an individual plan that in the first phase calms pain and inflammation, and then gradually restores the strength and endurance of the tendon. Therapy is done in a series and combines devices with exercises, with special emphasis on correct dosing of load, because both too little and too much work slow recovery.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to stop working or playing sport? Not necessarily, but it is important to temporarily reduce the activities that cause pain and to dose the load correctly, along with therapy and exercises.

How long does treatment last? With milder symptoms relief comes quickly, while chronic tennis elbow requires more patient work over several weeks to several months, with regular strengthening exercises.

Does tennis elbow come back? It can, if the cause is not removed and the tendon is not strengthened. That is why eccentric exercises and proper ergonomics are key to a lasting result.

Does ice help with tennis elbow? In the acute, painful phase brief cooling can reduce pain and inflammation, while heat and exercises are introduced later, on the therapist advice.

Can tennis elbow occur in both arms? It can, especially in people whose work strains both forearms, although it is more common in the dominant arm.

Do injections solve the problem? Injections can temporarily reduce pain, but they do not strengthen the tendon or remove the cause, so therapy and gradual strengthening are needed for a lasting result.

How quickly will I feel relief? In most people the pain begins to ease after the first few treatments, but full recovery of the tendon and the return of strength take longer and require regular exercises.

Can I exercise at home? Yes, home exercises are an important part of treatment, but it is best to learn them correctly during therapy so they do not further strain the tendon.

If elbow pain is bothering you, book a free first examination at 060/134-3303.