What is Tennis elbow?
Clinically known as lateral epicondylitis, it presents with pain and tenderness on the lateral epicondyle, the bony knob on the outside of your elbow (thumb side). This injury is very common and is more prevalent around age 40 +. One in three people experience it at some point.
TENNIS ELBOW SYMPTOMPS
You may experience some or all the following:
- Pain on outside of forearm around elbow
- Tenderness at bony bump, sometimes swelling
- Worse for bending, lifting, griping, twisting, turning handles
- Difficulty to extend arm
- Usually unilateral
TENNIS ELBOW CAUSES
Overuse of muscles around the forearm causes tendons attaching to bones at the elbow to be strained and subject to tears due to constant tugging. Initially inflammation is present. The most damage is in extensor carpi radial brevis with microtears and gradual wear.
It can be caused by sporting activities:
- Tennis, squash, fencing
- Non sporting activities with repeated stress at the elbow:
- Using tools, screwdrivers etc., kneading bread, plumbing, typing, knitting, car mechanics, chefs, musicians etc.
TENNIS ELBOW DIAGNOSES
The most common tests to diagnose Tennis Elbow are:
First approach:
- what symptoms you’re experiencing
- when they started
- how long you’ve had them
Imagery test
- an X-ray
- a MRI scan
- an ultrasound scan
TENNIS ELBOW TREATMENTS
Home Treatment
This condition has a high success rate of recovery but it can take months to go back to normal, up to 2 years. You can play an active part in speeding up your recovery.
- Avoid the strenuous pain triggering activity
- Rest for a few days
- Ice cubes in cling film/thin towel around the lateral epicondyle only, 20 min every 3 hrs 3 days, ice massage
- Elbow strap to create a false attachment site so tendons are not strained at their anatomical attachment and allowed to rest and heal
Treatments have been proven to help
- Stretching and strengthening arm and wrist
- Manual therapy: mobilisation, massage, acupuncture, mobility exercises, eccentric exercises three times a day 1-3 months as soon as pain allows
- Therapeutic ultrasound
- Physiotherapy and Osteopathy: manipulation to improve range of movement, often the joint is restricted so the muscles have to work harder and from a disadvantaged position
What can you do to help with the recovery?
Check racquet strings, head, too heavy or too large, golf club and technique, check your equipment and use ergonomics when appropriate.
Return to activity gradual when: Pain free load bearing on arm, Pain free in all range of movement and No swelling
Maintain a good posture all the time to avoid recurrence
We can help you!

DIAGNOSE

CONDITIONS

TREATMENTS
Treatments that can help
Here are some treatments that can help with Tennis elbow:
- Massage (Soft Tissue)
Help decompress the nerve impingement due to tight muscles - Osteopathy
Helps restore normal movement due to misalignment and decompress nerve impingement - Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy
Helps stabilise weak areas and restore normal movement - Acupunture
Helps to loosen up the tissue decompress the nerve impingement in tight muscles
Book a Consultation with
Here are some therapist that can help with Tennis elbow: