Articles » Injuries » Injuries of the upper limbs » Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow / Lateral Epicondylitis

What it Effects

• The muscle belly and tendons of the wrist extensors, originating from the lateral epicondyle. Characterised by inflammation

Who it Effects

• Equally common in men and women
• Common between the age of 30 and 50

Mechanism of Injury

• Repetitive strain over the lateral aspect of the elbow, due to repetitive extension and supination at the wrist joint. A faulty grip can also lead to this condition. Although often referred to as tennis elbow it does not only affect tennis players. It is quite common among people who use the computer a lot, as well as many other repetitive activities using the extensor muscle group

Signs and Symptoms

• Gradual onset of pain
• Pain over the lateral aspect of the elbow (outside of the elbow when your palm is facing up). Pain felt over the lateral epicondyle, joint line of the elbow and in the muscle belly of the wrist extensors on palpation
• Possible radiating pain down the forearm
• Gradual decrease in grip strength
• Pain when putting the wrist extensors on passive stretch during wrist flexion with the elbow extended
• Muscle weakness when testing wrist extension and supination
• Pain increased by resisted wrist extension
• Decreased range of movement
• Decreased sensation in the forearm or hand

Treatment

• PRICE
• Deep transverse frictions
• Ultrasound
• Maintain and improve range of movement
• Stretching the wrist extensors to realign any scar tissue that may have formed due to the nature of the inflammatory process
• Eccentric strengthening program for wrist extensors. The load, repetitions and speed of these eccentric contractions can be altered to progressively increase the work done by the wrist extensors
• Steroid injection by GP (should be combined with exercise program)

Exercise Videos

Range of movement

• Flexion & Extension
• Pronation
• Supination

Stretches

• Tennis elbow stretch

Exercises

• Ball Crush
• Eccentric wrist flexion

A registered physiotherapist should follow the treatment of this condition. If you think you have tennis elbow contact your GP/physiotherapist for advice and treatment.

If you have any questions, please use the comment form below or post a thread on the forums.