TENNIS ELBOW

Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that can affect more than just athletes. This repetitive strain injury results from overuse of the arm, forearm, and hand muscles, leading to elbow pain. It’s crucial to understand tennis elbow to seek appropriate treatment and rehabilitation methods. Premier Physiotherapy, are experts in physiotherapy and rehabilitation and offer insights and solutions to effectively manage and recover from this condition.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overloaded, typically due to repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Despite its name, athletes aren’t the only ones affected. Painters, plumbers, and even office workers can experience symptoms due to repetitive wrist and arm use. Understanding the symptoms and causes is crucial for early detection and treatment.

Causes of Tennis Elbow

The cause of tennis elbow lies in the overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm and around the elbow joint. Activities that can lead to tennis elbow include playing tennis or other racquet sports, painting, or using plumbing tools. It’s not just about sports; even prolonged computer use can contribute to this condition. The onset of symptoms occur when the physical load or stress placed across the tissues exceeds the capacity of those tissues at that time. It may be a one off or overloading over time. Ultimately it causes a disruption of the tissue with resulting pain and dysfunction.

Symptoms to Watch For

Recognising the symptoms of tennis elbow early can significantly aid in treatment and recovery. Common symptoms include:

• Pain and tenderness in the bony knob on the outside of your elbow
• Pain may radiate into the upper or lower arm
• Weakness in the forearm
• Pain when gripping, lifting or bending the elbow
• Difficulty extending the forearm fully
• Discomfort during repetitive movements

Diagnosis and Early Intervention

A proper diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. At Premier Physiotherapy, our expert physiotherapists will conduct a thorough assessment to confirm the presence of tennis elbow and rule out other conditions. This may include a mix of physical examinations. Rarely do you need further investigation such as X-Ray or MRI to diagnose tennis elbow.

Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in the treatment and rehabilitation of tennis elbow. At Premier Physiotherapy, we focus on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and improving the strength and flexibility of the elbow joint and surrounding muscles. Our pathway looks at Relieving symptoms, Restoring function and Enhancing your physical wellbeing to reduce the risk of recurances.

Personalised Treatment Plans

Each case of tennis elbow is unique, and so are the treatment plans. Our physiotherapists create personalised programs that may include exercises, manual therapy, and advice on activity modification.

Early intervention is key to preventing the progression of tennis elbow. Physiotherapy treatment for tennis elbow can speed up recovery and minimise the risk of recurrence. Understanding the nature of your condition is vital to prepare you for the journey ahead.

Exercise and Rehabilitation Techniques

Physiotherapy exercises play a crucial role in the rehabilitation of tennis elbow. These exercises aim to strengthen and load the affected muscles and tendons, improving the capacity of the tissue to absorb physical load/stress and thereby stimulate a recovery process.

A combination of treatment and exercises can effectively treat tennis elbow.

Tennis Elbow exercises may include:

• Wrist flexor function
• Wrist extensor strengthening
• Elbow range of motion
• Wrist turn with weight
• Grip strengthening
• Shoulder strengthening

Incorporating exercises into your routine is essential for recovery. Consistency is key, and it’s important to follow the guidance of your physiotherapist to avoid overexertion.

Advanced Treatment Options for Tennis Elbow

At Premier Physiotherapy, we go beyond basic exercises and offer advanced treatment techniques tailored to individual needs. These may include manual therapy, Shockwave therapy, and dry needling. Each of these methods aims to reduce pain thereby allowing for your exercise tolerances to improve.

• Manual Therapy

Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to manipulate and mobilise soft tissues and joints. This approach helps in reducing pain and increasing function.

• Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy uses sound waves to penetrate deep into tissue. This helps in reducing pain, thus speeding up the healing process. This has been evident particularly with stubborn tennis elboe conditions tat have been slow to respond to activity modification and exercise alone.

• Dry Needling

Dry Needling, a technique similar to acupuncture, involves inserting thin needles into specific points around the elbow to release muscle tension and pain.

• Lifestyle Adjustments for Tennis Elbow Management

Making lifestyle adjustments is an integral part of managing and recovering from tennis elbow. This includes modifying daily activities to reduce strain on the affected area.

• Activity Modification

Modifying how you perform certain activities can help in managing tennis elbow. For instance, taking frequent breaks, using the correct equipment, and avoiding repetitive actions can reduce stress on the elbow.

Importance of Continued Physiotherapy

Continuing physiotherapy is important. These conditions can be slow to respond and completing your plan of care is crucial for recovery and prevention of recurrence. Premier Physiotherapy emphasises the Enhancing phase of recovery to address your overall physical wellbeing and get you to your maximum lifestyle and sustained recovery.

Educating Patients on Self-Care and Prevention

Patient education is a cornerstone of Premier Physiotherapy’s approach to managing tennis elbow. Understanding the condition, knowing the do’s and don’ts, and learning self-care techniques are crucial for preventing future injuries.

Tips for Self-Care

Simple self-care measures, such as applying ice to reduce swelling, wearing a brace or support, and avoiding aggravating activities, can be beneficial.

Preventive strategies include regular stretching and strengthening exercises, proper warm-up before activities, and maintaining good posture and ergonomics at work.

Exploring Further Information on Tennis Elbow

For those seeking more in-depth knowledge, Premier Physiotherapy offers a wealth of information. Contact us should you require anything further.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Tennis elbow, while a common condition, requires careful attention and professional care for effective treatment and prevention. At Premier Physiotherapy, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care and support to those suffering from tennis elbow.

Take Action Towards Recovery

If you’re dealing with tennis elbow, now is the time to take action. Reach out to Premier Physiotherapy for a consultation and start your journey towards recovery.

Your Path to Healing Starts Here

Remember, recovery from tennis elbow is not just about treatment; it’s about regaining your quality of life. Let Premier Physiotherapy be your partner in this journey. Explore our services, read our resources, and take the first step toward healing and prevention.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or injury. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. While we strive to provide up-to-date and accurate information, the evidence behind physical conditions is constantly evolving therefore Premier Physiotherapy cannot guarantee the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and Premier Physiotherapy will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites

Roberto Pelosi is the founder and principal Physiotherapist at Premier Physiotherapy.  He has over 25 years experience as a Physiotherapist, working in the United States, Australia, the UK and Ireland.  He and the team at Premier Physiotherapy are committed to helping clients remain painfree, mobile, independent and doing the things they love to do.