Tennis Elbow - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

Lateral epicondylitis or as it is commonly called tennis elbow is a condition by which the outer part of the elbow becomes tender and sore. It affects the part of the elbow known as lateral epicondyle. This happens because of repetitive overuse of the tendons and muscles of the forearm.

Tennis elbow leads to tenderness and pain on the site of the illness.Any activity, which also involves playing tennis that involves repetitive use of the extensor muscles of the forearm can cause chronic tendonitis at the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. This condition is also very common among laborers who swings hammer, and carpenters, which affects the medial epicondyle on the inside part of the elbow. Also sometimes known as lawn-tennis elbow and washer women’s elbow, continued activity after onset of the condition can lead excruciating pain which is only treatable via surgery. So mandatory rest is advised by doctors once you are diagnosed of this disease.

Tennis elbow begins as a torment outwardly of the elbow and it turns worse after some time. A severe burning sensation can be felt at a worse time. The torment will begin to move from the outside of the elbow to the lower arm and back of the hand when you lift, grip or twist. You start to lose grip when the condition starts to deteriorate.

You may even feel pain while lifting small objects. When you press the elbow, you will find excruciating pain. The swelling will start around the elbow joint along with the pain which might be intolerable. Morning stiffness will be noticed with persistent pain, and forearm muscles gradually become sore.

You will be considered for some elements in making tennis elbow analysis that incorporate how the side effects built up, any word related hazard factors and sports support. You will be interrogated by the specialist regarding what exercises cause manifestations, where on the arm your side effects begin. You should notice him about any previous injury in the elbow. And, also if you are a victim of any nerve disease or arthritis, the same should be informed.

During the physical assessment, you will be approached to play out certain exercises like fixing wrist and fingers against resistance with your arm altogether directly to check If it causes the agony. At the point when the tests give positive outcomes, your primary care physician will come to realize that those muscles may not be sound.

However medical ultrasonography and MRI are the best diagnostic tools for determining this disease. Athletes who are affected with tennis elbow, should continue to work out in a smart and effective manner. Sport’s doctors often helps the athletes not only to be aware of their body, but also prescribe cross training adjustments to their exercise regime, to add diversity and avoid further injuries.

In some cases, the tennis elbow will heal on its own whereas in other few cases it needs early to end-stage treatment.

• The first treatment is icing the elbow to alleviate the swelling and pain. You can see the relief while applying the ice pack at least 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days or until the pain relives.
• You may use elbow strap to avoid injured tendons from further strain.
• Taking pain killers i.e. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) can be used to reduce the pain occasionally. Regular intake of NSAIDs may lead to ulcers and heartburn.
• Performing elbow motion exercises will improve flexibility and decrease stiffness.
• Physiotherapy plays a major role in strengthening muscles.
• Steroid injections may be given if the above said treatment modules do not work. However, this injection will work only up to a particular time period.
• PRP injection (Platelet-rich plasma) is a new treatment in which one’s own healing platelets will be injected in the elbow area to see better results.
• Surgery is the last option for chronic pain persons. The damaged tendons will be removed to relieve the pain.

Lateral epicondylitis is otherwise known as Tennis elbow. When the forearm tendons are strained, the condition occurs. Generally, tennis elbow can be treated at home itself with proper rest and pain medications. The individual who experiences tennis elbow ought to include in explicit activities to alleviate the torment and anticipate reoccurrence. The exercises for tennis elbow are :

Wrist extensors flex :

• First, raise the arm straight out in front of the body
• Gradually bend the wrist upwards with the palm facing down
• Gently pull the fingers back towards the body using the other hand
• Hold in this position for at least 30 seconds
• Straighten the wrist again
• Repeat it twice and repeat at least two more sets of three repetitions

Towel twist, Wrist extensor stretch, wrist turn and with weight, wrist lift with palm up, Elbow bend, and fist squeeze are other effective tennis elbow exercises.

• Natural pain control: There are some essential oils that can improve the condition and reduce the pain.
• Applying cypress oil improves blood flow in the influenced region.
• Helichrysum oil supports repairing the damaged nerve tissue.
• Peppermint oil reduces the pain
• Frankincense oil decreases inflammation by increasing its healing ability
• Anyone of the oils can be mixed with the base oil (like coconut or castor oil) and applied to the painful areas at least 3 times a day to see the best results.
• Managing inflammation with the diet: Avoid eating processed foods such as high-sodium foods, heavy sugars, rich saturated foods, refined fats, alcohol. When the foods are avoided, your inflammation can be controlled at a lower level.
• Anti-inflammatory foods such as all vegetables, especially green leafy veggies, clean protein like raw dairy, grass-fed beef, fruits such as pineapple, berries, melon and citrus fruits, high-potassium and magnesium foods including sweet potatoes, bananas, coconut water, greens and avocados, and bone broth which is rich in collagen help in improving tissue health.