Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a painful condition that often occurs as a result of strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm and around the elbow joint. As its name suggests, tennis elbow can sometimes be caused by playing tennis, but it can also occur as a result of a number of other physical activities

The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and inflammation on the outside of the elbow. The medical name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. This is because the pain usually occurs on the bony lump on the outside of the elbow, known as the lateral epicondyle.

Symptoms can also sometimes occur on the inner side of the elbow. This is often referred to as golfer's elbow.

Treatment
The pain that is caused by tennis elbow can persist for some time. As tendons are slow to heal, the symptoms can last for a number of weeks, or months, or, in some cases, they can persist for up to a year. Treatment can include one or more of the following:

Painkillers

Cortisone steroid injections
If your tennis elbow symptoms are particularly painful, and the condition is making movement difficult, a steroid injection may be recommended. Cortisone is the steroid that is usually used because it helps to reduce inflammation. If you have a cortisone injection, cortisone will be injected into the tender spot in your elbow using a fine needle. It will usually be combined with an anaesthetic so that it is not painful. Most people who have a cortisone injection find that their pain improves significantly, or disappears completely, within four weeks of the treatment.

However, for some people who have a cortisone injection, pain relief is only temporary and it returns after a few weeks. In such cases, two, or three, steroid injections may be needed over the course of a number of weeks. The risk of developing side effects after having a cortisone injection is small, but you may experience some increased discomfort at the site of the injection for up to 48 hours.

Physiotherapy
If your tennis elbow symptoms are particularly severe, or persistent, your GP may refer you to a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist will be able to show you exercises to help stretch and strengthen your forearm muscles. They may also recommend wearing a bandage, or wrist splint, in order to help support your elbow and to encourage the tendons to heal.

Last Resort Surgery
In rare cases of severe, persistent tennis elbow, surgery may be recommended. The operation involves removing the damaged part of the tendon in order to relieve the symptoms of pain.

For more information please call 020 8455 7809 or email us on info@igophysio.co.uk

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