Tennis elbow is a type of tendinitis – swelling of the tendons- which causes pain in the elbow and the arm. These tendons are bands of tough tissue which connect the muscles of your lower arm to the bone. Even though the name is “tennis elbow,” you can get end up getting tennis elbow even if you’ve never played tennis in your life. Basically, any repetitive gripping activities, especially if they involve the thumb and first two fingers, may contribute to tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is the most common reason that people see their doctors for elbow pain, and can pop up in people of any age, but is most common at around age 40. Tennis elbow can be a difficult injury to go through, and it is essential to seek tennis elbow treatment in a timely manner in order to rehabilitate your arm. Read on to learn more about tennis elbow and how you should seek treatment. If you are looking for a Celebration sports medicine clinic, Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute is a top sports medicine clinic in the Celebration area. Call Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute today!
Cause of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a condition that typically develops over time. Repetitive motions such as gripping a racket during a swing can strain the muscles and put too much stress on the tendons. The constant tugging on the tendons can end up resulting in microscopic tears in the tissue. Tennis elbow can be a result of:
- Playing tennis
- Racquetball
- Squash
- Fencing
- Weight lifting
It can also affect people who have jobs or hobbies that involve repetitive arm movements or gripping such as:
- Carpentry
- Typing
- Painting
- Raking
- Knitting
Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain and tenderness in the bony knob on the outside of your elbow, since this is where the injured tendons connect to the bone. The pain may also seep into the upper or lower arm. Even though the damage lies in the elbow, you’re likely to feel pain when doing things with your hands.
We Provide Tennis Elbow Treatment
Tennis elbow can cause you the most pain when you:
- Lift something
- Make a fist or grip an object, such as tennis racket
- Open a door or shake hands
- Raise your hand or straighten your wrist.
Tennis elbow is very similar to another condition labeled “golfer’s elbow,” which affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. In order to diagnose your tennis elbow, Celebration sports medicine clinic Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute will do a thorough exam. Our doctors will have you flex your arm, wrist, and elbow to locate where the pain is coming from. You may also require some imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in order to diagnose tennis elbow or rule out other types of problems.
Contact Us Today
Top Celebration sports medicine clinic Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute offers tennis elbow treatment and more. Call Celebration Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Institute to make an appointment today!