Traci Smet, ATC, PES, CSCS
[email protected]
cell: 920.979.5597
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow is a type of tendonitis—swelling of the tendons—that causes pain in the elbow and arm. These tendons
connect the muscles of your lower arm to the bone. Despite its name, you can still get tennis elbow even if you’ve never
been near a tennis court. Racquet sports are only thought to be the cause in about 5 in 100 cases. Instead, any
repetitive gripping activities, especially if they use the thumb and first two fingers, may contribute to tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow is the most common reason that people see their doctors for elbow pain. It can pop up in people of any
age, but it’s most common at about age 40. About 13 in 1,000 adults develop tennis elbow each year.
Risk Factors include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
People ages 35 - 55
Women and men are affected equally
Diabetes
Smoking
Repetitive movements of the hands or wrists
Manual handling of loads heavier than 44 pounds
Activities demanding high handgrip forces
Use of a vibrating tool
The Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow usually develops over time. Repetitive motions like gripping a racket during a swing can strain the muscles and put too
much stress on the tendons. That constant tugging can eventually cause microscopic tears in the tissues. As stated previously it
doesn’t necessarily take a tennis racket, but can also be caused by using tools that are too small for the individuals grip size or high
vibration.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The symptoms of tennis elbow include pain and tenderness in the bony knob on the outside of your elbow. The knob is where the
injured tendons connect to the bone. The pain may also radiate into the upper or lower arm. Although the damage is in the elbow,
you’re likely to hurt when doing things with you r hands.
Symptoms may increase when you: Lift something, make a fist, grip something, open a door or shake hands.
Treatment for Tennis Elbow
-Icing the elbow to reduce pain and swelling. Ice cups work well for this area. To make an ice cup, fill up an 8 oz. Styrofoam cup and
place in the freezer. When cup is frozen solid, peel top Styrofoam off and rub ice directly on skin for 5 minutes 3 times a day.
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin to help with pain and swelling. However,
these drugs can cause side effects such as bleeding ulcers. You should only use them occasionally unless your doctor says otherwise.
-Performing range of motion exercises to reduce stiffness and increase flexibility.
-Individuals with moderate to severe tennis elbow should seek therapy to strengthen and stretch the muscles, as well as modalities
of ultrasound and iontophoresis.
1. www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/tennis-elbow-lateral-epicondylitis, 2. www.webmd.boots.com/osteoarthritis/.../tennis-elbow, 3. www.webmd.com/...exercise/stretching-exercises-for-tennis-elbow,
4. http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/164/11/1065.long
Traci Smet, ATC, PES, CSCS
[email protected]
cell: 920.979.5597
Preventative Exercise for Tennis Elbow
All stretches should be held for 45 seconds and performed 4-6 times per workday on both hands.