Despite its name, tennis elbow isn’t an injury exclusive to tennis players. In fact, according to the American College of Sports Medicine, only 5% of people with tennis elbow were injured due to their participation in the sport of tennis.
Also known as lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is a painful condition that affects the outer part of the forearm and elbow. While rest and medications may provide relief, physical therapy can play an essential role in treating this condition, helping to alleviate pain, restore function, and prevent future injuries.
What is Tennis Elbow?
This condition is called tennis elbow because it is a common injury in racket sports. However, anyone who overuses their elbows is at risk for developing this injury.
People generally develop tennis elbow due to repetitive strain on the muscles and tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow (known as the extensor muscle tendon). Any motion that involves twisting or swinging your forearm can cause tennis elbow.
What are the Causes of Tennis Elbow?
Any frequently repeated motion or activity can cause tennis elbow to develop. As you repeat these motions, extra stress on the muscles and tendons builds up, causing microtrauma or small tears to the extensor muscle tendon.
These microtraumas are what cause pain in the elbow and forearm to develop. Tennis elbow is most often caused by repetitive motions over time. However, a sudden, one-time arm or elbow injury can also result in a person developing this condition.
Who is Likely to Get Tennis Elbow?
While anyone can develop tennis elbow, there are some characteristics that make it more likely a person will be affected by this condition. Those who are older than 40, obese, or smoke are more likely to get tennis elbow.
In addition, athletes whose sport puts stress on their arms or elbows are at higher risk, including racket sports like squash, pickleball, or racquetball, baseball, softball, golf, and weightlifting. People who work or participate in a hobby that puts stress on the elbow, such as painters, plumbers, gardeners, and manicurists, are also more likely to get tennis elbow.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The symptoms of tennis elbow can vary in severity. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
Pain on the Outside of the Elbow
This is the most common and well-known symptom of tennis elbow. It includes pain and soreness on the outer side of the elbow, particularly around the bony prominence, that can radiate down through your forearm. Your elbow may also feel stiff, limiting your ability to extend or bend your arm. A similar condition, called pitcher’s elbow, causes pain on the inside of the elbow.
Weak Grip Strength
Another common symptom of tennis elbow is a weakened grip, where it is difficult to hold or lift objects or perform tasks like opening jars or holding on to sports equipment such as a racket. People with tennis elbow can also experience pain when lifting, gripping, or performing a twisting motion.
Pain Increases with Activity
The pain associated with tennis elbow generally is intensified during activities that involve repetitive motions of the wrist or forearm. Movements like shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or raising a glass might cause sharp pain or discomfort in the elbow.
Diagnosing Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is typically diagnosed through a combination of your medical history, a physical exam, and occasionally imaging tests. Your doctor will usually begin by taking your medical history and asking about any repetitive activities or sports that might have contributed to the condition.
They will palpate the area around your elbow, looking for pain or tenderness near the outside of your elbow. They might also ask you to move your arm in different directions to check for stiffness and range of motion.
Rarely, imaging tests such as x-rays, ultrasounds, or MRIs might be used to rule out other conditions like fractures or arthritis. However, in most cases, imaging isn’t required to diagnose tennis elbow.
Physical Therapy for Tennis Elbow
After you’ve been diagnosed with tennis elbow, physical therapy can help address the pain and the underlying cause of the condition.
Pain Management
A physical therapist might recommend treatment using heat or cold to reduce inflammation. This can also help alleviate pain in the early stages of recovery. In addition, they might use taping or bracing techniques to offload stress on the elbow and reduce strain on the affected tendons.
Manual Therapy
Your physical therapist can use hands-on techniques like manual therapy to help improve circulation, reduce muscle tightness, and promote healing in the affected muscles and tendons through soft tissue and joint mobilization.
Stretching and Strengthening
Gentle stretching exercises can help improve flexibility in the forearm muscles. Your physical therapist will also use gradual strengthening exercises targeting the muscles and tendons in the forearms. Stronger muscles and tendons mean more support to the elbow, reducing the risk of re-injury.
At the beginning of your treatment, when the pain is most intense, your physical therapist will probably start you off with gentle, passive exercises that won’t strain your elbow. As your symptoms begin to improve, you can start to do active exercises, and you might also use weights or resistance bands to build strength.
Education and Ergonomic Advice
A therapist can also provide advice on how you can modify your daily activities or work-related tasks to avoid injury from repetitive motions. Proper ergonomics can help prevent further stress on the elbow.
Prevention
Physical therapy can help prevent future flare-ups of tennis elbow by strengthening the muscles around the elbow and forearm. With a focus on preventing overuse and correcting movement patterns, physical therapy can help reduce the risk of re-injury.
Need Help with Elbow Pain?
If you’re experiencing pain from tennis elbow, don’t wait for it to worsen. Contact Upslope Physical Therapy today.
Our experienced team specializes in treating conditions like tennis elbow, using personalized treatment plans that combine effective exercises, manual therapy, and pain management techniques. We’ll work with you to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent future flare-ups, helping you return to your daily activities without discomfort.
Request an appointment, and let us help you take control of your recovery.
