TENNIS ELBOW
Tennis elbow is also referred to as lateral epicondylitis and is a common overuse injury. With appropriate management, the majority of minor tennis elbow cases usually recover within a few weeks; more chronic conditions can be a slightly more lengthy process and take several months to heal.
WHAT IS TENNIS ELBOW?
Tennis elbow is an injury to your muscles that bring your wrist and hand towards you (Wrist and finger extension) and pain is normally felt on the lateral epicondyle: the body bump on the outside of the elbow- this is where the muscles attach.
WHAT CAUSES TENNIS ELBOW?
Tennis elbow is caused by damage to the muscle tissue at the point where it attaches to the bone of the arm at the elbow. It occurs when more force is put on an area than normal healthy tissue can cope with.
Common causes include:
Excessive wringing action or gripping action
Poor strength in forearm muscles or tight muscles
Unaccustomed hand use e.g. lots of typing, hammering or painting a fence
Poor sporting technique such as a poor tennis shot, inadequate warm up, excessive/inappropriate activity
In some cases like chronic tennis elbow, the condition can occur as the soft tissues are in poor health and easily damaged.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TENNIS ELBOW?
Symptoms tend to develop gradually and initially symptoms may be more of an aching pain following activity that aggravates the condition.
Usually, pain is localised and felt when doing gripping tasks or resisted finger/wrist extension and pain can be felt when the muscles are stretched. Tenderness is present directly over the lateral epicondyle.
Weakness may also present in the wrist and hand during certain movements that cause increased pain.
WHAT TREATMENT CAN FARRELL PHYSIOTHERAPY OFFER FOR TENNIS ELBOW?
Following a thorough assessment, your physiotherapist will provide you with an individual treatment plan based on your symptoms. There are several treatment options for tennis elbow and the treatment methods your physiotherapist chooses will be post appropriate to your symptoms and responses to treatment.
Treatment may include:
Electrotherapy
Mobilisation of joints
Taping
Muscle stretches
Neural mobilisations
Soft tissue massage
Strengthening exercises
Anti-inflammatory advice
Training and activity modification advice
Ice or heat therapy
Use of a brace
Graded return to activity/sporting
BENEFIT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR TENNIS ELBOW?
There are several benefits of physiotherapy for tennis elbow, allowing you to make a quick recovery. The particular benefits you feel following physiotherapy will depend on your symptoms and goals.
Physiotherapy assists with:
- Reduced elbow pain
- Tissue repair facilitation
- Restored or improved range of movement
- Restored or improved muscle strength and movement
- Normalisation of neurodynamics of upper limb
- Prevention of injury re-occurring
Don't Let Pain Win!
Our Expert Physiotherapists in Witham and Chelmsford specialise in providing the latest treatments and techniques in order to get you pain free as soon as possible, cure the cause of your pain and help you to return to pre-injury levels of activity.
Furthermore, we'll also give you a bespoke exercise and rehabilitation program, and advise you on how to prevent re-injury and remain pain free.
Get in touch with us now on 01245 830280 or 07980 898212 or click below to book online!
Same day and emergency appointments available most of the time.
Insurance
At Farrell Physiotherapy we work with some of the uk's top insurance companies to ensure you're covered.
We can accept payment from AXA (PPP), Bupa, PruHealth, simplyhealth and Standard Life, if you have any questions about alternative payment methods, please get in touch with us using the contact form at the bottom of the page and we'll get back to you asap!
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
6am to 9pm
Saturdays
9am to 12pm
Same day & Emergency appointments available most times.
WITHAM
Witham Leisure Centre, Spinks Ln, Witham, Essex, CM8 1EP
GET DIRECTIONS
CHELMSFORD