Tennis Elbow
What is it?
Tennis elbow is mostly caused by overusing your forearm due to a repetitive or strenuous activity. It can also sometimes occur after banging or knocking your elbow. If the muscles in your forearm are strained, tiny tears and inflammation can develop near the bony lump (lateral epicondyle) on the outside of your elbow.
What is the cause?
Tennis elbow is often linked to overuse and muscle strain. But the cause is not well understood. Sometimes, repeated tensing of the forearm muscles that are used to straighten and raise the hand and wrist triggers the symptoms. This can cause a breakdown of the fibers in the tendon that attaches the forearm muscles to the bony bump at the outside of the elbow.
Activities that can cause tennis elbow symptoms include:
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Playing racket sports, especially using backhand, with poor form.
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Using plumbing tools.
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Painting.
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Driving screws.
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Cutting up foods for cooking, particularly meat.
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Using a computer mouse a lot.
Signs & Symptoms
The pain of tennis elbow can travel from the outside of the elbow into the forearm and wrist. Pain and weakness can make it hard to:
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Shake hands or grip an object.
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Turn a doorknob.
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Hold a coffee cup.
What can we do about it?
Physiotherapy exercises can strengthen forearm muscles and your grip. Massage, massage, dry needling and joint mobilisation techniques may help to reduce pain and improve function.