What is tennis elbow?
“Tennis elbow” is a term that describes soreness or pain on the outer (lateral) part of the elbow. While tennis elbow is common, playing tennis is only one of many activities that can result in this tendon injury. Also called lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow occurs when there is tendon damage at the elbow where some of the forearm and hand muscles connect to the upper arm bone. It affects the muscles you use when extending your wrist and fingers.
What causes tennis elbow?
Frequent twisting movements of the hand, wrist or forearm usually cause tennis elbow. These are motions you use in everyday actions, such as using a screwdriver, digging in a garden, and playing racquet sports. A direct blow to the outer elbow can also cause tendon damage.
Tennis elbow can also result from using the wrong type of sports equipment or improper technique. A tennis racquet with a grip too large for your hand can put a lot of pressure on your tendon. Hitting the ball late in your swing can also lead to tendon damage.
Tennis elbow generally occurs in adults between the ages of 40 and 60 and is most common during the 40s.
How is tennis elbow diagnosed?
Your health professional can usually tell if tennis elbow is causing your elbow pain by learning the history of the elbow problem, your daily activities, and past injuries. You'll also have a physical exam.
It’s unlikely that you'll have an X-ray to diagnose your elbow pain. However, if your symptoms don't get better with treatment, you may have imaging tests, such as X-ray, magnetic resonance image (MRI), or bone scan. These tests will tell your doctor whether a bone problem or tissue damage is causing your symptoms.
The elbow is both a hinge and pivot joint that allows a person to bend, extend, and rotate the arm. It connects the end of the upper arm bone (distal humerus) to the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna) with ligaments, tendons, and muscles. See an illustration of the elbow.
The two bones of the forearm (radius and ulna) fit into the ends of the upper arm bone like a hinge, forming the elbow joint. The upper arm bone (distal humerus) flares out to form the medial and lateral epicondyles. Some of the forearm muscles attach to the upper arm bone.
The olecranon is the large bump of the ulna behind the elbow joint. It forms the bony prominence of the elbow and connects with the triceps muscle of the upper arm.
At one time or another, everyone has had an elbow problem that may have caused pain or swelling. Most of the time our body movements do not cause problems, but it's not surprising that symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear or overuse.
Elbow problems can be minor or serious and may include symptoms such as pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in temperature or color. Home treatment often can relieve minor aches and pains.
Osteoarthritis may cause pain that is worse in the morning but improves during the day. Other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and lupus, can also affect the elbow.
A pinched nerve can cause elbow pain with numbness and tingling.
A problem elsewhere in the body, such as a heart attack, can cause referred pain in the elbow.
Most people may not remember having a specific injury when their symptoms get worse over time, but overuse problems are actual injuries. They occur when too much stress is placed on a joint or other tissue, often when you overdo an activity or repeat an activity over and over. Overuse injuries include:
Bursitis. Swelling behind the elbow may be olecranon bursitis (Popeye elbow).
Tendinosis, which is a series of microtears in the connective tissues in or around the tendon.
Soreness or pain felt on the outside (lateral) part of the elbow may be tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). This is the most common type of tendinopathy that affects the elbow and most often is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles. This overuse may occur during sports, such as tennis, swimming, golf, and sports involving throwing; jobs, such as carpentry or plumbing; or daily activities, such as lifting objects or gardening.
Soreness or pain in the inner (medial) part of the elbow may be golfer's elbow. In children who participate in sports that involve throwing, the same elbow pain may be described as Little Leaguer's elbow.
Radial tunnel syndrome, which is the pinching of the deep radial nerves in the elbow joint. This usually occurs with repeated motions.
Treatment for an elbow problem may include first aid measures; application of a brace, splint, or cast; physical therapy; or medication.
