Tennis elbow

Tennis Elbow Treatment in Chembur, Mumbai

Tennis elbow is a condition where overuse of tendons in the elbow occurs. It is quite a painful condition usually occurring due to the excessive wrist and arm movement. It is widespread in athletes and sportspersons, especially tennis or racquet sports players.

In tennis elbow, micro-tearing of the tendons occurs. These tendons join the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. Also, in some cases, inflammation occurs in the outside portion of the elbow. The muscles of the forearm and tendons get damaged by overuse leading to pain and tears. The pain starts from the area where the forearm muscles are attached to the bony area in the outer elbow. This pain then gradually spreads to the wrist and arm. Apart from sportspersons, tennis elbow also occurs in carpenters, butchers, painters, and plumbers.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is characterized by mild pain in the bony knob outside the elbow, which gradually worsens with time. The pain then radiates to the arm and wrist and intensifies on any forearm activity. You are likely to experience the following signs and symptoms if you have tennis elbow-

• Burning pain on the outer elbow
• Not being able to grip something or make a fist
• Difficulty in raising your hand or straightening your wrist
• Pain on opening doors, and
• Shaking hands or holding a cup can be very painful

Causes of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow gradually develops with time by repetitive movements of wrist and arm. Just as the name suggests, playing tennis, especially the repetitive hand movements such as gripping the racquet during a swing, can strain the arm muscles. These cause microscopic tears in the tendons and lead to tenderness and swelling.

Tennis elbow generally occurs in athletes who play the following sports-

• Tennis
• Squash
• Racquetball
• Fencing
• Weight lifting

Apart from athletes, it is also common in people who perform the following activities-

• Painting
• Carpentry
• Plumbing
• Typing, and
• Knitting

Age is also an essential factor, and people in the age range of 30-50 are more likely to develop tennis elbow. Sometimes, tennis elbow may also occur in people with no history of repetitive injury and are of unknown cause.

When to See a Doctor

You should see a doctor if self-care tips such as applying an ice pack, taking rest, or pain relievers do not provide much relief from the pain. You can also request an appointment at Apollo Hospitals.

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Chembur, Mumbai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

Treatment for Tennis Elbow

Most of the patients benefit from non-surgical treatment such as-

• Rest- This is the most crucial step in the treatment of tennis elbow. You will have to give proper rest to your arm and refrain from any activity which may cause pain to your arm.
• Medicines- Your doctor is likely to prescribe you anti-inflammatory medication to reduce the swelling and tenderness in your elbow.
• Physiotherapy- Certain exercises help relieve pain which your physiotherapist will recommend, and also perform stimulating muscle techniques for treatment.
• An equipment check- If you are a tennis or racquet player, your doctor might ask you to get your racquet checked. Generally, stiffer racquets reduce the stress on your forearm and are considered better. Also, if your racquet is oversized, you might like to change it to a smaller one to prevent strain on your forearm.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)- It is highly effective in treating tennis elbow. In this, blood is taken from the arm and centrifuged to obtain platelets. These platelets are known to have growth factors that help in treatment. This is then injected into the affected area to relieve the symptoms.

If your symptoms are not eased through non-surgical treatments, your doctor will need to opt for surgical measures. Some of which are-

• Open surgery- This is quite common where the doctor makes an incision in the elbow to remove damaged muscles and replace them with healthy muscles.
• Arthroscopic surgery- This may also be performed by your doctor and does not require an overnight stay at the hospital.

Conclusion

Tennis elbow is a prevalent condition, and there are several treatment options. After seeking treatment, you will get back to your daily routine depending on the degree of pain and strength. The treatment is considered successful in around 80%-90% of the patients.