What is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)? Symptoms and Treatment

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, occurs when a problem occurs in the elbow tendons due to overload. Although its name is tennis elbow, this ailment can be seen more frequently in people belonging to different professions such as butchers, carpenters, plumbers, painters. Tennis elbow can be treated with different approaches such as physical therapy or surgery.

What is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis; It is a problem with the tendons of the muscles that make the forearm movements. Tendons are structures that connect muscle to bone and are critical for joint movement. The tendons of the forearm muscles that enable the hand to grip and rotate the hand attach to the lateral epicondyle, the outer part of the elbow. Excessive use of these muscles as a result of repetitive movements can cause wear, inflammation and even rupture of the tendon. As a result of this situation, pain may be felt on the outside of the elbow and weakness may occur in the related arm. Holding the racket very tightly, constantly hitting backhand; paves the way for the development of tennis elbow. However, this ailment is not only seen in tennis players, it can also be seen in the following professions where the hands make repetitive movements during work:

• Dentists
• Gardeners
• Golf and baseball players, fencers
• Car mechanics
• Plumbers
• Cleaners
• Manicurists
• Musicians
• Butchers
• Chiefs

Tennis elbow can affect people of all ages, but it is most common in individuals between the ages of 30-50.

What are the Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow causes pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. This pain in the elbow may radiate to the forearm and the outer part of the hand. The severity of the pain may be mild, increasing with the movement of the elbow, or in severe cases, severe pain may occur in the elbow even when motionless. Repetitive movements such as turning and grasping may exacerbate the symptoms of tennis elbow. The following movements are recommended for people with tennis elbow problems: May increase pain and tenderness in the elbow:

• Carrying a load, bending the forearm
• Grapping small objects such as pencils
• Opening a door handle, jar lid

Tennis elbow can cause stiffness and pain in the arm when the arm is fully extended. Although tennis elbow can affect both arms, it usually affects the dominant arm. For this reason, it mostly occurs unilaterally.

What Causes Tennis Elbow?

The forearm muscles that work in the direction of raising and strengthening the hand and wrist are connected to the bony prominence of the elbow, that is, the lateral aspect of the elbow. attaches to the epicondyle. Repetitive use of these muscles causes wear on the tendons. As a result, inflammation occurs in the area where the tendons attach to the lateral epicondyle. Inflammation also paves the way for the formation of pain and sensitivity. Movements that may cause the development of tennis elbow are as follows:

• Sewing up
• Using a keyboard and mouse
• Making pictures
• Chopping food, especially meat
• Using plumbing tools
• Using hand tools such as saws and scissors
• Playing the violin
• Weaving bricks
• Tennis Playing racquet sports such as badminton, badminton

Treatment of Tennis Elbow

It is usually sufficient to take a detailed medical history of the patient and perform a physical examination to diagnose tennis elbow. It is possible. If the patient's symptoms are suspected to be due to a disease other than tennis elbow, imaging methods such as X-ray film can be used. Different methods such as physical therapy and surgery can be used in the treatment of tennis elbow. In the first stage of the treatment, the patient is ensured to stay away from movements that will increase the wear on the elbow in his daily life and work. For this, the patient may be asked to wear a splint and bandage while performing these movements.

Tennis elbow can be corrected with physical therapy. For this, tennis elbow exercises that strengthen the forearm muscles can be done. These exercises involve slowly lowering the wrist down and then slowly lifting it up. A tennis elbow band can also be used as part of physical therapy. The lateral epicondylitis band supports the forearm muscles and elbow; so at the elbow PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and Botox injections can be used in the treatment of tennis elbow. In this method, these substances are injected into the tendon of the affected arm. In tennis elbow, a treatment method known as dry needle, in which small needles are inserted into the affected tendon, can also be applied. Ultrasonic tenotomy is one of the methods used in the treatment of tennis elbow. In this method, a needle is advanced towards the affected tendon with the help of ultrasound. The needle vibrating slightly with ultrasound energy liquefies the damaged area of ​​the tendon and then this area is sucked out. Tennis elbow surgery is a method used when the disease cannot be treated with other methods. Surgery can be performed with different techniques, in which multiple small incisions or a single large incision are discarded. In order for the surgery to be successful, the patient must complete rehabilitation exercises after the operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Use of Tennis Elbow Band?

Tapes and splints are tools used in the treatment of many orthopedic problems. The lateral epicondylitis band generates force against the muscle of the damaged tendon. Thanks to this counter force, the pressure applied to the muscle and thus to the tendon is reduced. Thus, further damage to the tendon is prevented and the pain caused by excessive wear is reduced. Inadequate treatment can lead to re-damage of the muscle with repeated use. Repetitive steroid injections to the elbow affected by lateral epicondylitis may cause the tendon to rupture again. Leaving this arm at rest will help both reduce pain and regress damage to the tendon. Analgesic medications containing ibuprofen or naproxen can be used for tennis elbow pain. Applying cold for 15 minutes 3-4 times a day to the aching area may also be beneficial.

• What Should Be Done to Prevent Tennis Elbow?

Using the right techniques during sewing or any manual activity prevents orthopedic problems such as tennis elbow and golfer's elbow. Things that can be done to prevent tennis elbow are as follows:

• Painful activities and movements should not be continued and different ways of doing the same movement should be found
• Care should be taken not to use the hand and wrist more than the rest of the arm, during movement The load should be given to large muscles, such as shoulder muscle
• Sports trainers should be supported to learn the right technique in sports such as tennis and badminton
• Large size tools should be used when lifting heavy or using a racket
• A tennis elbow band should be worn when the arm is actively used
• Exercises should be done to strengthen the forearm muscles

Tennis elbow is a common problem in people who work in many professions that require arm strength or who have hobbies that require arm strength. is a situation. Early detection of this condition in people who show symptoms of tennis elbow allows the damage to the tendon and muscle to be noticed quickly. In this way, it is possible to treat the disease with simpler methods such as physical therapy, there is no need for surgery. It would be beneficial for people with suspicious symptoms of orthopedic diseases, including tennis elbow, to apply to a health institution without delay. We wish you healthy days.

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