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TENNIS ELBOW Craig Mortimer, consultant musculoskeletal physiotherapist at the Ashleigh Clinic, explains how to beat tennis elbow Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a very common injury, affecting about 3% of the population. When you sustain this injury it can be very debilitating. Unlike its common term, it doesn’t always relate to tennis. Very often it is a result of small repetitive intrinsic movements of the hand, such as typing or texting. But it can relate to power movements such as repeated lifting and grasping or long lever forces exerted when playing sports like tennis or cricket. So we generally know it as an ‘over-use’ injury. These movements cause small micro traction damage to the tendons of the forearm (extensors) as they attach on to the bony prominence on the outside of your elbow (extensor origin). If you move your fingers up and down, look at your elbow and see the complex movement that occurs to allow your fingers to position themselves to carry the activity you’re trying to do. You can imagine the pulling forces on the attachment through this movement and if you then add the need to produce more power in the hand such as holding a bat or hammer. Then these tears in the fibres become more extensive.
Risk factors
• Age. Tennis elbow affects people of all ages, but it is most common in those between the ages of 30-50. • Occupation. People at risk the most are occupations that involve repetitive movements of the wrist and arm. Examples are plumbers, painters, carpenters and those doing clerical jobs. • Sports. Racket and batting sports are good examples. This is usually down to a sudden increase in activity or poor technique. What can you do?
Remember, this type of injury can cause a lot of pain and be very limiting with your everyday activities.
I would always suggest the use of cold packs. After all there is an inflammatory response going on from the tissues that are damaged. They will not only be painful, but they try to contract to protect themselves from further damage. So you may find it difficult straightening your elbow or moving your wrist. I like using supports to protect the area. We all keep trying to carry on our normal lives and this damages the tendon further. So a brace helps protect it. You can take anti-inflammatory tablets or injections which may help. But at Ashleigh Clinic we aim to treat the cause of the problem and the resultant damaged tissues. We have many types of treatment available from manual therapy to ultrasound, long wave, interferential, shockwave, indiba and cryotherapy. A lot depends on what symptoms you present with. Remember: this is an over-use injury. I would always suggest early treatment as it minimises the damage and helps you return to normal function more quickly. If you want some advice, just give us a call. The Ashleigh Physiotherapy, Back Pain and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic 26 Stoneygate Road Stoneygate Leicester, LE2 2AD T: 0116 270 7948 E: info@ashleighclinic.co.uk
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