If you’re a tennis player, you’ve undoubtedly heard of tennis elbow. It’s an inconvenience that affects many people, including tennis players. “Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition of the elbow caused by overuse,” according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). “Tennis elbow is an inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow.” This injury often occurs during repeated movements in tennis (like ground strokes). However, others can develop tennis elbow as well. “Painters, plumbers and carpenters are particularly prone to developing tennis elbow. Studies have shown that auto workers, cooks and even butchers get tennis elbow more often than the rest of the population. It is thought that the repetition and weight lifting required in these occupations leads to injury,” according to the AAOS.
So just what are the symptoms of tennis elbow? The most noticeable symptom is pain. Tennis elbow pain associated may radiate from the elbow into the forearm and wrist, according to the Mayo Clinic. Weakness is also common. This can make it difficult to perform regular tasks like turning a doorknob or holding onto something.
The Mayo Clinic says that age can be a factor in the development of tennis elbow -- it most often occurs between the ages of 30 and 50. That said, those of any age can develop this condition.
Further, occupation can play a role in the development of tennis elbow for people whose jobs include repetitive motions of the wrist and arm.
And poor technique in sports can cause this injury, which is why those with a less than adequate stroke technique in tennis often develop tennis elbow.
A doctor visit can determine whether the problem is actually tennis elbow. Movement tests and x-rays may be recommended for diagnosis, according to the AAOS. A doctor also may suggest an MRI or an EMG (electromyography). The good news is that surgery is often not required with tennis elbow. In fact, nonsurgical treatment is successful for approximately 80 to 95 percent of patients, reports the AAOS.
One of the first things that doctors will recommend is simple rest of the area affected. This gives the injury time to recover. (In other words, no tennis or strenuous exercise involving the area for a while.)
In addition, he or she may suggest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These can help with swelling. It's a good idea to check equipment to make sure it isn’t contributing to the injury. “Stiffer racquets and looser-strung racquets often can reduce the stress on the forearm, which means that the forearm muscles do not have to work as hard,” the AAOS says. And using a smaller-headed racket as opposed to an oversized one may help as well.
A number of other options may be encouraged. The first is physical therapy, which helps to strengthen muscles. The second is a brace, which helps to rest the area in general. And the third is cortisone injections, which may reduce inflammation.
Another more experimental method of treatment used in tennis elbow is extracorporeal shock wave therapy. “Shock wave therapy sends sound waves to the elbow,” according to the AAOS. “These sound waves create ‘microtrauma’ that promote the body's natural healing processes.”
If treatment does not help within six to 12 months, surgery is sometimes recommended. Surgery will remove diseased muscle and reattach healthy muscle to the bone, according to the AAOS. The type of surgery selected is determined by a number of factors. The AAOS says that these include: the scope of the injury, general health and personal needs. The most common type of surgery for tennis elbow is open surgery, usually performed on an outpatient basis. Arthroscopic surgery is another type of surgery performed for this injury. Like open surgery, this procedure does not usually require an overnight stay at a hospital.
That said, surgery can involve risks. These risks include infection, nerve and blood vessel damage, possible prolonged rehabilitation, loss of strength, loss of flexibility, and the possibility of a need for more surgery, according to the AAOS. After surgery, a splint will be used to immobilize the area. But the splint usually only stays on for a week. At this point, specific exercises will be recommended to get the elbow back in the swing. About two months later, strengthening exercises will be added. And generally, normal activity can be resumed four to six months after surgery is performed.
The good news is that the statistics associated with surgery are excellent. Though strength can be compromised, the AAOS says that 80 to 90 percent of patients experience successful tennis elbow surgery.