What is Lateral Epicondylitis?
Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow as it is more commonly known, is a painful condition of the elbow caused by overuse. As you may have guessed, tennis and other racquet sports are a common culprit of the injury, however, several other sports such as golf, baseball, martial arts, and rock climbing can also lead to the condition. Non-athletes can be prone to tennis elbow as well, and it is a common occurrence in painters, carpenters, musicians, and plumbers.
Anatomy of the Elbow:
The elbow joint consists of three bones: the humerus (upper arm), radius, and ulna (forearm bones). On the lower portion of the humerus, there are raised bumps known as epicondyles. These bumps are the attachment site for many of the forearm muscles. The bony bump on the outside of the elbow is called the lateral epicondyle – this is the structure affected in tennis elbow and gives rise to its scientific name, lateral epicondylitis. Lateral epicondylitis involves the muscles and tendons of the forearm that are responsible for extending your wrists backward and opening your fingers.
What is the cause of lateral epicondylitis?
Tennis elbow is an overuse injury. This means that it is the result of repetitive motions and activities involving the elbow and extensor muscles of the forearm rather than an acute incident. These repetitive motions and stress to the tissue can cause small tears to the tendon that attaches the forearm muscles to the elbow resulting in inflammation and ultimately pain.
Symptoms of lateral epicondylitis:
The onset of lateral epicondylitis is usually gradual, and symptoms tend to get progressively worse without rest and proper treatment. The lateral elbow pain may radiate down the side of the forearm to the wrist or upwards along the outer side of the upper arm. In some cases, there may also be a dull ache felt in the fingers, the elbow may be tender to touch, and there may be pain associated with gripping, rotating the palms downward, and straightening the elbow.
Although you might be certain you have tennis elbow, there are many other injuries and conditions with similar symptoms and presentation, each with its own treatment and management techniques. If you are suffering from elbow pain, book an appointment with one of the physiotherapists at Elios Health to ensure you receive a correct diagnosis and a proper plan of action to treat your condition.
Treatment of lateral epicondylitis:
The first step towards recovery from an overuse injury is rest. For lateral epicondylitis, this may mean decreasing your participation in sports, work, or other activities involving your arm. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and ibuprofen, as well as pain relief creams, can help to ease the pain and inflammation. If your elbow pain doesn’t improve with rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication, physical therapy can be an extremely helpful intervention.
A detailed physiotherapy assessment will help to determine the specific factors contributing to your elbow pain. This can include repetitive motions placing chronic stress on the tissues, tightness of the forearm muscles, shoulder tightness, neck issues, and poor ergonomics.
The goal of physical therapy for lateral epicondylitis is to improve the strength and flexibility of your forearm muscles. To do this, your physiotherapist will prescribe stretches and strengthening exercises for the flexor and extensor muscles of the forearm. A physical therapist can also teach you ways to improve technique in your sports and other activities so that less strain is placed on the tendons and muscles of the elbow and forearm. At Elios Health, our physiotherapists can help you address the specific causes of your elbow pain and provide you with an individualized treatment plan to ensure you make a quick and full recovery. Visit us at our clinic on Main Street in Vancouver.
Original Post by Rachel Rubin-Sarganis
Photo by Sven Mike