Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylopathy, is characterised by symptoms that are typically experienced when performing certain actions such as:

•                    Gripping small objects like a pen, door handle, or tennis racket.

•                    Twisting the arm.

•                    Extending the arm or wrist.

These actions often lead to a sharp pain along the outer aspect of the elbow, extending down the back of the forearm, particularly affecting the extensor muscles, during use.

Causes

This is a common condition, following:

• Trauma like a sudden strain to the extensor muscles

• Overuse/Sport : tennis, paddle & pickleball, golf, cricket, throwing, climbing, gardening, holding heavy shopping, writing and typing

Or a combination of all the above. 

Treatment Methods

Your Osteopath will evaluate and assess the function of your elbow, the whole upper extremity and even your shoulder girdle and spine to make a diagnosis:

• Osteopathic treatment alongside an advised home exercise plan from your Osteopath and ergonomic advice for your sport or work station etc.

• Followed exercises to support and encourage healthy tissue repair.

• Hands on treatment to help sooth the area or work the surrounding tissues to accelerate local tissue health.

 Some advice may be given to change daily activities to reduce stress on the affected elbow as it heals. An example may be orthosis (straps or other tools) to limit the strain on the distressed area.

 Steroids

This is sometimes advised for patients whose symptoms continue despite treatment, to reduce to inflammation to break a cycle of inflammation and aggravation.

 Surgical intervention

Patients may be referred when diagnosis exhibits complications in functionality or symptoms continue despite prolonged treatment (6-12months), often a minor surgery.