Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overloaded, usually by repetitive motions of the wrist and arm. Despite its name, tennis elbow isn’t limited to tennis players—it’s common among people who perform activities requiring repetitive arm and wrist movements, such as painters, plumbers, and carpenters.

Risk Factors

Age

Tennis elbow is most common in adults aged 30 to 50.

Occupation

Jobs that involve repetitive arm and wrist motions can increase the risk.

Activities

Sports that require repetitive arm movements, like tennis, weightlifting, or squash, can also contribute.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. This pain may also extend into the forearm and wrist. Other symptoms can include:
– Weakness in the forearm.

– Pain when lifting or bending the arm.
– Pain when gripping small objects, such as a pen.
– Difficulty extending the arm fully.

Causes

Tennis elbow is typically caused by overuse, particularly from activities that involve repetitive motion and stress on the elbow joint and tendons

The repeated motion can cause tiny tears in the tendons, leading to inflammation and pain.

Treatment

Treatment for tennis elbow often involves a combination of rest, physical therapy, and medications to reduce pain and inflammation. Common treatments include:
– Rest: Avoiding activities that exacerbate the condition.
– Ice: Applying ice packs to reduce pain and swelling.

– Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the elbow and improve flexibility.
– Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin can help manage symptoms.
– Bracing: Using a brace or strap to reduce stress on the affected tendon.
– Steroid Injections: In some cases, corticosteroid injections can reduce pain and inflammation.

If conservative treatments are not effective, more invasive procedures such as shockwave therapy or surgery may be considered.

ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΗΣΤΕ ΜΕ ΤΟ ΓΙΑΤΡΟ

ΚΛΕΙΣΕ ΤΟ ΡΑΝΤΕΒΟΥ ΣΟΥ