Sports Tips

Tennis Elbow

Lateral Epicondylalgia - cause and treatment

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is an extremely common injury that originally got its name because it is a frequent tennis injury. However, it commonly manifests in a vast proportion of people who do not play tennis at all.

Lateral epicondylitis occurs most commonly in the tendon of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle at approximately 2cm below the outer edge of the elbow joint or lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone.

Signs and symptoms of tennis elbow?

- Pain about 1-2 cm down from bony area at the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle)
- Weakness in the wrist and difficulty doing simple tasks such as opening a door handle or shaking hands with someone.
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when the hand is bent back (extended) at the wrist against resistance.
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when trying to straighten the fingers against resistance.
- Pain when pressing just below the lateral epicondyle on the outside of the elbow..

Causes

Tennis elbow is often caused by overuse or repetitive strain caused by repeated extension (bending back) of the wrist. This may be from activities such as tennis, badminton or squash but is also common after periods of excessive wrist use in day-to-day life, such as typing, DIY or painting.

Treatment and Management

Apply ice to the elbow to help reduce pain and inflammation if present.
Rest from aggravating activity is extremely important
Wear a counterforce brace for pain relief
Carry out a comprehensive rehabilitation programme as guided by your physiotherapist, after they have identified the cause of injury.

Aims of Rehabilitation

- Reduce pain and inflammation.
- Identify possible causes of injury.
- Stretching – of the ECRB muscle and associated wrist extensors should begin early in the rehabilitation process. Stretches should be held for 15-20 seconds initially and then held for longer as pain allows.
- Strengthening – this should begin as soon as pain permits, starting with isometric contraction of the wrist extensors. Gradually, as pain decreases, this should progress to concentric and eccentric strengthening exercises
Gradual return to activity


If you are unsure of any of the exercises or the cause of your pain, contact a Chartered Physiotherapist for a thorough assessment. Once the cause of Tennis Elbow has been defined, your Chartered Physiotherapist will quide you through a rehabilitation programme enabling you to return to sport/activity.