Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition characterised by pain and inflammation on the outer part of the elbow. As briefly touched upon earlier in this article, tennis elbow is not exclusive to tennis players and can affect individuals from various backgrounds who engage in repetitive arm motions. 

Those with tennis elbow often experience outer elbow pain, usually a dull, persistent ache or a sharp, shooting pain. This pain can vary in intensity, ranging from mild discomfort to severe agony. It is often exacerbated by specific movements, such as gripping objects, shaking hands, or twisting motions of the wrist. Simple activities like lifting, typing, or even turning a doorknob can elicit pain. In some cases, the outer elbow pain may extend down the forearm or up to the upper arm. The affected elbow may also feel tender to touch, and individuals are likely to also experience weakness in their grip strength.

Dealing with outer elbow pain? Chances are you might have a tennis elbow. Consult one of our expert physios at Pro-Form today for a thorough diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan based on your symptoms.

Tennis elbow is primarily caused by repetitive or overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm that are responsible for extending the wrist and fingers. The repeated stress on these tendons leads to micro-tears and inflammation in the tendons that attach to the outer part of the elbow.

Other contributing factors include:

• Poor technique or form during sporting activities or other physical activities involving repetitive arm and wrist movements

• Using equipment that is not properly fitted or suited to you

• Inadequate or incorrect form during warm-up or cool-down routines

• Underlying issues or medical conditions such as weak forearm muscles or poor overall conditioning 

Tennis elbow is more likely to occur but not exclusive to individuals who play sports like tennis, golf, or racquetball that involve repetitive gripping and twisting motions of the wrist and arm. People in occupations such as painting, plumbing, or carpentry are also at a risk of tennis elbow due to the type of physical activity required for their role.

While tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are both forms of tendinitis, the key difference is that they affect different areas of the elbow and involve different sets of muscles and tendons.

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, affects the tendons on the outer part of the elbow and is caused by repetitive strain on the extensor tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle (a bony structure on the outer side of the elbow). 

On the other hand, golfer's elbow, or medial epicondylitis, affects the tendons on the inner part of the elbow and is caused by overuse or repetitive strain on the flexor tendons that attach to the medial epicondyle (a bony structure on the inner side of the elbow). 

While the location of the pain and the specific tendons involved differ between the two conditions, both tennis elbow and golfer's elbow can cause a similar kind of discomfort, restricted movement, and impact daily activities. Usually physiotherapy would be recommended for those dealing with tennis or golfers elbow as a way to alleviate pain and restore mobility and optimum functioning of the affected arm muscles. 

If you’re experiencing outer elbow pain or inner elbow pain, consult with one of our team at Pro-Form physiotherapy who would be able to recommend the right kind of physio for tennis elbow or golfers elbow to help you get back to what you love doing pain-free.

The treatment of tennis elbow typically involves a combination of self-care measures, conservative therapies, and, in some serious cases, medical interventions. 

Some commonly recommended tennis elbow treatment approaches by healthcare professionals include:

1. Activity/load Modification: Appropriately reducing your training load and avoiding activities that worsen the pain can help in the initial phase of healing. Modifying your activities to reduce repetitive arm movements or use proper equipment and techniques could help minimize strain on the affected area.

2. Cold Therapy: Applying ice packs or cold compresses are shown to reduce pain and inflammation to the affected area. Icing the injured elbow about 15-20 several times a day can help accelerate the relaxation and healing process. 

3. Pain Relief Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), may help manage pain and reduce inflammation. However, if you are considering any kind of medication for tennis elbow pain, it is highly advised to consult a doctor to determine the appropriate medication and dosage for your condition. 

4. Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy has been shown to be one of the most effective tennis elbow treatments in most cases. A physiotherapist can provide specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons around the elbow and use techniques like manual therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation to promote healing and reduce pain.

5. Brace or Strap: Wearing a forearm brace or strap can help alleviate strain on the tendons and provide support during activities that may aggravate the condition. 

6. Corticosteroid Injections: In severe or persistent cases, a healthcare professional may administer corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and provide short-term pain relief.

7. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT): This non-invasive procedure uses shockwaves to stimulate healing and reduce pain. In some cases, ESWT may be adopted for chronic cases that haven't responded to other treatments.

8. Surgery: In rare cases when conservative treatments fail, surgical intervention may be considered to remove damaged tissue or repair the affected tendons.

Physiotherapy offers numerous benefits for individuals with tennis elbow. At Pro-Form, we see a lot of athletes and others alike dealing with tennis elbow and similar conditions. When you consult with Pro-Form physio for tennis below, here is what you can expect from our treatment approach:

1. Pain Reduction: Tennis elbow can be incredibly painful for many. At Pro-Form, our number one goal is to reduce your pain. We may use manual therapy, soft tissue mobilisation, and therapeutic modalities like ultrasound or laser therapy, to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation in your elbow and affected areas in the arm. These interventions are shown to provide significant pain relief, allowing you to engage in your daily activities with greater comfort.

2. Improved Range of Motion: Our next step is often to help improve mobility in your elbow. Through targeted stretching exercises and joint mobilisation techniques, we work with you to restore and improve the range of motion in the elbow and surrounding joints. This process can help you regain flexibility and function, enhancing your ability to perform physical activities with more precision.

3. Strengthening and Rehabilitation: Along with treatment, we design specific strengthening exercises tailored to your needs and stage of recovery. These exercises target the muscles and tendons involved in tennis elbow, promoting healing, improving strength, and enhancing overall stability of your elbow joint.

4. Corrective Techniques and Ergonomic Advice: If your tennis elbow was caused by improper technique, poor warm-up or cool down routines, or incorrect form while playing sport, we go above and beyond to assess your movement patterns and biomechanics to identify any particular factor that may have led to tennis elbow and provide guidance on proper body mechanics, ergonomic modifications, and techniques to minimize stress on the elbow during activities and prevent a relapse in the future.

5. Individualised Treatment Plans: At Pro-Form, we understand each individual with tennis elbow may have unique needs and circumstances. Therefore, we take care to assess these factors and create personalized treatment plans tailored to the your specific condition, goals, and lifestyle. This ensures that the treatment is comprehensive, effective, and suited to your specific requirements and helps you get to where you want to go.

6. Education and Self-Management: Our treatment is never complete without educating you about your injury and giving you the tools to manage the pain yourself. From what causes tennis elbow, to its symptoms and risk factors. We even work with you to develop a program for tennis elbow treatment at home consisting of activity modifications, coaching,  home exercises, and preventive measures you can to minimize the risk of recurrence or worsening of symptoms. We take delight in empowering you to take an active role in your recovery and long-term well-being.

By combining various therapeutic interventions, physiotherapy plays a vital role in reducing pain, restoring function, and facilitating the recovery process for individuals with tennis elbow. At Pro-Form, we strive to offer you with a holistic approach to treatment, one that works for your specific needs and goals with tips on how to treat tennis elbow at home to keep the pain at bay. 

Chat to us to learn more about how we can help you alleviate tennis elbow pain today.