Tennis Elbow: Not Just a Problem for Players of Racquet Sports

Do you experience elbow pain when you open a jar or shake hands? You may have lateral epicondylitis or “tennis elbow,” a condition caused by the overuse of muscles in the arms and hands, which can result in injury to the muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow.

Tennis elbow is common in people who play sports that include repetitive arm, hand, wrist and elbow movement, especially while gripping tightly to, say, a racquet. But other occupations, such as gardening, playing guitar or assembly line work can result in the same injury. Also at an increased risk are plumbers, carpenters, cleaners, painters, butchers and folks who type and/or grip a computer mouse for many hours a day. The condition is most prevalent in men ages 30 to 50, but anyone can be affected.

Treatment

Tennis elbow is diagnosed through a physical examination and sometimes X-rays. Most cases do not require surgery and can be managed with a combination of rest, treatments and therapy including:

• Ice
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen
• Corticosteroids
• Use of counter-force brace
• Therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles and tendons around the elbow

As with many overuse injuries, there is no sure-fire, quick road to healing. It may take weeks or months. The key is to work with a health care professional to determine the best course of treatment and pain management.

Prevention Tips

On the court:

• Check your technique with a pro. A poorly executed backhand puts you at greater risk of injury.
• Warm up/stretch before play.
• Make sure your equipment is appropriate for you. If a racquet handle is too big or too small, you may be putting extra stress on your muscles and tendons.

At work:

• Have your workstation assessed, and get your setup’s ergonomics improved.