Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, clinically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common overuse injury that affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow. At Dr. Isaac Bone & Joint Speciality Hospital, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of tennis elbow, offering personalized care to help patients alleviate pain and regain function in their affected arm.
Tennis elbow typically develops as a result of repetitive motions and strain on the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle, a bony bump on the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, tennis elbow can occur in individuals who engage in a variety of activities involving repetitive gripping, twisting, or lifting motions, such as tennis, golf, painting, typing, or manual labor.
Symptoms of tennis elbow may include pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, weakness in the affected arm, and difficulty with gripping or lifting objects.
The pain may radiate down the forearm and worsen with activities that involve wrist extension or grasping, such as shaking hands or turning a doorknob.
Diagnosis of tennis elbow typically involves a physical examination, assessment of symptoms, and may include imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI to rule out other conditions and evaluate the extent of tissue damage.
Treatment of tennis elbow focuses on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting healing of the affected tendons. Conservative treatment options may include rest, activity modification, icing the affected area, over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the forearm and improve flexibility, and the use of braces or splints to reduce strain on the tendons.
In cases where conservative measures fail to provide relief, or when symptoms are severe or persistent, more advanced treatment options may be considered. These may include corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to promote tissue healing, or minimally invasive procedures such as percutaneous needle tenotomy or extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) to stimulate tissue repair.
At Dr. Isaac Bone & Joint Speciality Hospital, our team of orthopedic specialists is dedicated to providing personalized care to patients with tennis elbow. We work closely with each individual to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and goals, with the aim of alleviating pain, restoring function, and improving quality of life.
