Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow

What is Tennis Elbow?

• Tennis elbow is formerly known as Lateral Epicondylalgia. 
• It is an overuse type injury caused by repetitive upper extremity activities, characterized by pain on the outside region of your elbow (specifically originating at the lateral epicondyle site for those who want to know).
• Tennis elbow is a form of tendinopathy injury to the tendons of the elbow that relates to inflammation and cellular changes within the tendon.
• Up to 50% of tennis players experience Tennis elbow at some point in their career.

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Do ONLY tennis players get this injury?

• Short answer: NO
• Despite the name of the injury being tennis elbow, and the high incidence rate amongst tennis players, tennis elbow can be experienced by just about anyone. 
• Any activity involving repetitive type tasks of the upper limbs can result in tennis elbow including: desk work, gardening, carpenter/electrician work, and other arm dominant sports like squash, badminton, baseball and swimming.
• Tennis elbow can be seen in so many other areas other than tennis, such that tennis players only make up for 5-10% of all cases of tennis elbow!

How can it be treated?

• A physiotherapist can assess and diagnose tennis elbow without the need for getting any scans. 
• Additionally physiotherapy can help to manage and treat tennis elbow effectively too!
• Treatment for tennis elbow includes a combination of the following options including: 
  • Manual therapy - deep tissue massage, myofascial release
  • Taping/braces
  • Education and advice on modification of activities
  • Exercises! - for stretching and strengthening
  • Sport/Occupation Specific Rehabilitation