It's an overuse syndrome
Apr 21 '00
I've seen more than 50 people with tennis elbow. To write a 100 word Epinion on tennis elbow doesn't quite do it justice (considering that I wrote a 9-page paper on the subject). But because I had tennis elbow as a child, didn't get it treated (which resulted in me having to quit tennis for years), I will try to summarize tennis elbow in the hopes that someone may avoid the mistakes I made.
What is tennis elbow? Tennis elbow, otherwise know as lateral epicondylitis, is a lesion affecting the tendons of the muscles originating at the lateral epicondyle (this is the small bump on the *right side of your right elbow). It is generally caused by overuse of those muscles, either by playing tennis (particularly at risk when hitting a backhand) or engaging in other repetitive activities that involve those muscles (typing, writing, hammering etc.) It usually results in pain at the lateral epicondyle, and occasionally into the belly of the muscles (toward the back of your hand). The pain is associated with microtearing of the tendon.
Differential Diagnosis (these are other things that might contribute or mimic Tennis Elbow):
Bursitis, ligament strain, degeneration of the cartilage, nerve entrapment from below the elbow (Carpal Tunnel), nerve problem from above the elbow (C6 radiculopathy or "pinched nerve" in the neck, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome). It is beyond the scope of this Epinion to determine how to differentiate between Tennis Elbow and these other aliments, suffice it to say, a "pinched nerve" in the neck is often either the main cause, or a contributing cause of pain.
What to do about it:
1. If you play tennis, try (a) using a softer string (e.g. Wilson Sensation), (b) dropping your tension 2 lbs., (c) using a more flexible racquet, (d) get a pro to look at the mechanics of your backhand (need to weight shift for power, not increased arm swing) or your serve if that's the problem or they might help you change to a two handed backhand (this is what I did), (e) use one, two, or even three vibration dampener(s).
2. If you type, use a wrist pad. Consider an ergonomic keyboard. Make sure you don't extend you neck (tilt your head up) when looking at the computer screen. If you do, raise your chair for lower your monitor.
3. Rest your arm.
4. Rub the damaged tendons in a direction that is perpendicular to you arm, this can help the healing process and (after a minute or two of painful rubbing) help with the pain.
5. Use a tennis elbow brace.
If the above changes do not help, seek professional help, an orthopedic (M.D.) or a physical therapist. They can give you a thorough examination and assess if you indeed have tennis elbow.
The one thing you should NOT do if you have acute tennis elbow is aggressively exercise the wrist extensors. Remember that tennis elbow is an overuse syndrome and you don't want to exacerbate the microtearing by overusing subjecting them to repetitive weight training. Once your pain and symptoms are under control, weight training is fine; a gentle program should be started with gradual progression.
If in doubt, please see your physician or physical therapist.
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Epinions.com ID:
pthawaii
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Member: M Wong
Location: Hawaii
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 1 member
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