Fields of treatment / Orthopedy / Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a painful condition of tendons in your elbow. It typically occurs in the forearm on the outer part of the elbow. Active athletes like tennis players mostly develop tennis elbow. It also affects people who perform repetitive motions (wall decorating, cutting wood, typing.) The condition can either be caused by an injury when the tendon is ruptured following a vigorous motion or it can be chronic. Chronic type of the condition is characterized by a painful scar that is caused by tiny tears in the tendon due to repetitive stress and overload.
Symptoms and diagnostics
Tennis elbow patients report pain on the outer part of the elbow. The pain is associated with weakness in muscle strength, especially when one tries to carry weights (a shopping bag). Also, the pain makes it difficult to lift objects while gripping them.
Diagnosis involves the doctor doing the physical exam. The doctor stresses the 3rd digit of the hand. Positive test is indicated by pain in over the lateral epicondyle, confirming the diagnosis. Additional X-ray may also be taken. The doctor will also talk to the patient about their jobs, hobbies and sports. Medical history of the patient is also considered.
Treatment
The condition may be treated conservatively when it is acute. Conservative management includes stopping activities that may overload the elbow. Applying a brace for 4 to 6 weeks may also reduce stress and the arm gets rest. When the condition reaches chronic stage, the doctor may decide to prescribe pain relievers such as local antirheumatic drugs or non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs administered orally. Steroid injection (cortisone and trimecaine) may also prove very effective. Physical therapy that has success in treating the condition includes methods such as electric therapy, magnetic therapy and cryotherapy. Kinesiology taping and special elbow bands are very popular options too.
Surgery may be an option when nonsurgical management fails. The elbow is repaired under sedation. The procedure is a quick one as the doctor removes damaged and inflamed tissue in the affected area (where tendons attach to the bone.) A technique called denervation of the lateral epicondyle is performed simultaneously and the flexors are released. After the procedure, the arm is immobilized in a long arm cast for 4 weeks. After it is removed, rehabilitation is started.
