Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) - physiotherapymaterial

 Tennis elbow is also known as lateral epicondylitis is a swelling of tendons, that causes pain in the elbow and arm. It entails the muscles and tendons of our forearm that cause extension of our wrist and fingers. It can occur in people of any age but it's more common at the age of 40 or above.

Causes of tennis elbow:

It develops usually over time, 

• Due to repetitive movements.
• Too much stress on tendons may also result in tennis elbow.
• It also occurs in people with jobs or hobbies which involve repetitive arm movements like typing, painting, and knitting. 
• Lateral epicondylitis can occur without any known repetitive injury. This type of condition is called an idiopathic cause.

Symptoms of tennis elbow:

The symptoms of tennis elbow include:

• pain and tenderness are the lateral epicondyle in the elbow.
• pain can radiate towards the upper and lower arm.
• Doing any activity like lifting up weight can cause so much pain.

Treatment:

There are both surgical and non-surgical ways to treat tennis elbow

• Non-surgical:

Rest: Give your arm proper rest.

Medication: Can help to reduce pain.

Rice protocol

Compression:

Elevation:

Stretching of wrist flexors and extensors:

Physical Therapy: strengthening exercises are best for forearm muscles, ice massage

• Fist Clench 

1. Squeeze a towel in your hand, and hold it for 15 seconds.
2. Hold and then release and repeat 10 times
   
   
   .

• Wrist Extension
  
  
  
• Wrist Flexion
  
  
  
• Towel Twist:

• Surgical:   

If symptoms don't respond after 6 to 12 months of non-surgical treatments then, the doctor may recommend surgery.