Tennis Elbow / Lateral Epicondylitis

Tennis elbow is a common  injury associated with overuse causing pain in the outer elbow and back of the forearm. This group of muscles work to extend and bend the wrist and fingers. 

Contraction of the forearm extensors, causes tension through the tendon at its attachment to the lateral epicondyle. When this tension builds due to overuse or force, there is a risk of damage. Tennis elbow is a condition of inflammation and degeneration of the extensor tendon at its attachment to the outer elbow. Most often a result of gradual overuse, tennis elbow can however result from trauma to the area.

Causes of tennis elbow

You do not have to play tennis to have this condition. It is a condition associated with repetitive activities involving wrist extension against resistance. Usually caused by sporting activities and manual labour it is one of the possible repetitive strain injuries - RSI. It can also be developed from other activities involving repetitive gripping of the hand.

Often people develop tennis elbow from a sudden increase in activities that place stress on the forearm extensors or due to a change in these activities. Heavy lifting forceful gripping through the arm along with a history of wrist, elbow, shoulder or neck injury may also increase the likelihood of developing this condition.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms may present as an ache and aggravating during activity involving these muscles. Tennis elbow is also painful when touched and can radiate down the forearm. Pain can range in severity and sharpness, depending on the range of activity. Normal daily activity such as turning a door knob can become painful in severe cases, developing a debilitating stiffness in the elbow. A thorough assessment and examination from a myotherapist can diagnose tennis elbow. 

Treatment

Myotherapy uses a variety of modalities in the treatment & prevention of Tennis Elbow. Applied pressure combined with the movement of the elbow, in addition to simple exercises & stretches which increase strength & flexibility of the affected area are important recovery factors in rehabilitation of the condition.  Controlled manipulation of the extensor carpiradialis is performed in treatment of tennis elbow to increase range of motion, blood flow and free the area to restore normal function. With correct treatment, most cases of tennis elbow usually recover within a few weeks. In more severe and chronic cases recovery can take up to a few months. Early motherapy intervention is therefore vital in speeding up recovery.

Contributing factors

There are several factors which can predispose people to developing this condition. These need to be assessed and corrected with direction from a motherapist.

 Some of these factors include:

• insufficient sports recovery
• excessive activity
• poor sporting technique
• muscle weakness
• muscle tightness
• joint tightness
• poor posture
• inadequate warm-up

Motherapy for tennis elbow

Motherapy treatment for this condition is vital to the healing process and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Treatment may involve:

• joint mobilization
• dry needling
• heat treatment
• self care education
• technique correction
• anti-inflammatory advice
• corrective sport or activity plan