WHAT IS TENNIS ELBOW?

The medical name for tennis elbow is “lateral epicondylitis”. The common starting point of the muscles that pull the wrist backwards is the region called the "lateral epicondyle" on the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow occurs as a result of small tears and degeneration in the muscle-bone junction in this area due to repetitive strain.

WHO HAS TENNIS ELBOW?

Painful tennis elbow. point

Painful spot on tennis elbow

Although it occurs frequently in athletes involved in racquet sports, the disease can occur in anyone who does repetitive and challenging work with the wrist. Tennis elbow can occur in all occupational groups that perform strenuous wrist movements for more than 2 hours a day. Tennis elbow occurs frequently, especially in painters, plumbers, carpenters and even housewives who do intense housework. The age range where it is most common is between the ages of 30-50.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF TENNIS ELBOW?

The most important finding of tennis elbow is the bone protrusion on the outer edge of your elbow. It is pain radiating towards the forearm. Pain usually increases by lifting the wrist backwards against resistance. The most typical example of this is the pain felt in the elbow and extending towards the wrist when lifting a heavy jug or teapot. Along with the pain, there may be weakness in the arm muscles. The event may begin after a single strenuous activity, or it may begin 24-72 hours after a long-lasting strenuous activity. The pain is initially low-intensity, but if strenuous activities continue, it gradually increases over weeks to months. In advanced cases, even shaking hands or turning a doorknob can be very painful.

RISK FACTORS IN TENNIS PLAYERS WHAT ARE ERI?

The most important risk factor for tennis players is poor backhand technique. In addition, the small "sweet spot" area of the racket, excessive string tension and not using anti-vibration parts increase the risk. The handle (grip) of the racket being small compared to the size of the hand and playing with heavy and wet balls can also lead to tennis elbow. Overly challenging training and competition periods also increase the risk of injury. Some studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of tennis elbow. To protect yourself from tennis elbow, you should warm up well and do stretching exercises before exercising. You should use a racket with appropriate tension and correct your backhand technique. Your arm muscles must be strong enough and you should apply ice after strenuous activities.

HOW IS TENNIS ELBOW DIAGNOSED?

Tennis elbow exercise

Your orthopedic doctor first evaluates the history of your disease, its occurrence, and your sports habits, if any. After examining you, he or she may request x-rays of your elbow to rule out other underlying diseases. These are usually sufficient to make a diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging and nerve conduction velocity studies (EMG) may be necessary in very rare cases to distinguish other diseases. If you have a rheumatic disease or cervical disc herniation, you should tell your doctor.

HOW IS THE TREATMENT FOR TENNIS ELBOW?

If your complaints are not very severe, rest, ice application, etc. The disease can be calmed down with these methods. Short-term use of simple painkillers such as Paracetamol (Parol, Tylol) or drugs such as Naproxen (Apranax, Naprosyn) and Diclofenac (Voltaren) is beneficial. Person playing racquet sports It will be sufficient for players to use their forearm instead of their wrist during the backhand, warm up well and make appropriate changes to their rackets. Appropriate exercise and stretching programs recommended by your doctor may be useful.

Tape application on tennis elbow

For the treatment of tennis elbow. There are dozens of different bands and elbow pads that have been developed. Their common purpose is to reduce the load on the injured area. These are used when using your arm or during sports, and should be removed during rest. The tapes should not be applied on the painful area, but on the point indicated by your doctor, approximately 10 cm away from the elbow.

If your tennis elbow complaints continue despite four to six weeks of treatment, your doctor will offer different treatment options. One of the methods that has been used for many years is cortisone injection into that area. Unlike cortisone medications taken regularly by mouth, regional cortisone injections have very few side effects. Cortisone injections are effective by reducing pain and swelling in that area. It can be repeated several times if necessary. In recent years, new practices have begun in the treatment of tennis elbow. These are shock wave therapy and PRP injections.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF SHOCK WAVE THERAPY IN TENNIS ELBOW TREATMENT?

Shock wave therapy was first used to break kidney stones. . It shows its therapeutic effect with high-intensity sound waves applied from outside the body and focused on a specific area. Today, it is applied in many different areas in musculoskeletal system diseases. One of these is the treatment of treatment-resistant tennis elbow. Blood flow increases in the area where the shock wave is applied and the body's natural healing mechanisms are activated. passes to the racket. Several sessions are required.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PRP TREATMENT IN TENNIS ELBOW TREATMENT?

PRP application

PRP (Platelet rich plasma) is a liquid obtained from the person's own blood and called platelet rich plasma. 40 ml of blood taken from the patient is centrifuged with special devices to obtain 2-3 ml of PRP. This fluid contains concentrated amounts of growth and healing factors. These factors activate the body's natural healing and repair mechanisms. It has been widely used in recent years in the treatment of many muscle and tendon injuries. It is performed in the lateral epicondyle area under sterile conditions. While a single application is sufficient in most cases, sometimes 2 or 3 PRP injections may be necessary.

IS SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR TENNIS ELBOW?

85% of patients with tennis elbow are diagnosed. -90% of cases heal with non-surgical methods. Surgical treatment is required in patients whose complaints do not go away despite medical treatment and injections lasting at least six months. In surgical treatment, the degenerated tendon in the painful area is separated from its attachment site, the diseased area is cleaned and the tendon is repaired by stitching it back in place. After surgical treatment, it may be necessary to apply a cast to immobilize the arm for a while. Return to sports may be possible after 4 to 6 days.

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