Tennis Elbow
What is Lateral Epicondylitis?
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition that causes pain on the outside of the elbow. It happens when the tendons in the forearm that are attached to the outer part of your elbow (lateral epicondyle) become irritated or damaged. This condition often results from repetitive motions that stress the elbow, particularly gripping, lifting, or extending the wrist.
The tendons most commonly affected are those that help extend the wrist and fingers. The extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon is usually the one that gets injured, leading to pain and inflammation. Although it is commonly referred to as “tennis elbow,” the injury affects more than just those who play tennis.
Anyone who performs repetitive motions with the arm or hand is at risk for developing tennis elbow. Some common groups who get this condition include:
- Tennis players (especially those with poor technique or using the wrong racket/grip)
- People who work with heavy tools or machinery (like carpenters or factory workers)
- Anyone who does a lot of lifting or gripping, such as carrying heavy bags or holding a pen for long periods
Most people who get tennis elbow are between the ages of 35 and 50, and it’s more common in the dominant arm (the one you use more often).
The most common symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow. Additional symptoms can also include:
- Pain when gripping things (like holding a gallon of milk, turning a doorknob, or shaking hands)
- Discomfort when extending your wrist or elbow (such as when reaching out to grab something)
- The pain might get worse when doing a lot of gripping or lifting activities.
After obtaining a complete medical history and discussing your symptoms or any activities that might have caused the pain, the next steps include:
- Physical exam: This involves checking how the elbow moves and testing different motions to see where the pain is located.
- Use special tests: These tests help the doctor figure out if the pain is really from lateral epicondylitis or from another condition.
- Order imaging: In some cases, the doctor may use X-rays or an MRI to see what’s happening inside the elbow:
- X-rays can show if there are any problems with the bones.
- MRI scans are more detailed and help the doctor look for tendon damage, tears, or changes in the tissue.
Tennis elbow happens when the tendons in your elbow are overused. Each time you grip, twist, or lift, the tendons that attach to the outer elbow pull. Over time, these tiny, repetitive movements can cause small tears in the tendon.
Since tendons heal slowly, the tears don’t always heal completely. This can lead to chronic inflammation and degeneration (breakdown) of the tendon, causing persistent pain.
By understanding what tennis elbow is and how it happens, you can take steps to prevent it or get the right treatment if you develop the condition. If you feel pain on the outside of your elbow, especially after repetitive activities, it’s important to see a doctor to get the proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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