Contents
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a form of tendonitis that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. It is clinically known as lateral epicondylitis because it often affects the outside of your elbow bone, which is called the lateral epicondyle (bony area which can be felt on the outside of the elbow).This condition develops when the tendons that join your forearm muscles on the outside of your elbow become inflamed and causes pain and tenderness. The tendon is called the common extensor tendon. Golfers elbow is the name given to a similar condition that produces pain around the inner side of your elbow.
Recovery Time
If you rest your arm and avoid any activities that bring on your symptoms, your tennis elbow will usually settle over time. Pain from tennis elbow usually lasts for six to twelve weeks. In some people it can go after as little time as three weeks. However, in other people, pain can last for longer (for between six months to two years).Diagnosis
Physical examination (your doctor may apply pressure to the affected area or ask you to move your elbow, wrist and fingers in various ways.)- Medical history
- Rarely X-ray, MRI, Ultrasound scan
FAQs prepared by doctor
Q1. What is tennis elbow?Tennis elbow is a form of tendonitis that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. It is clinically known as lateral epicondylitis because it often affects the outside of your elbow bone, which is called the lateral epicondyle (bony area which can be felt on the outside of the elbow).
This condition develops when the tendons that join your forearm muscles on the outside of your elbow become inflamed and causes pain and tenderness. The tendon is called the common extensor tendon.
Q2. What is golfers elbow?
Golfers elbow is the name given to a similar condition that produces pain around the inner side of your elbow.
Q3. How much time it takes to recover?
If you rest your arm and avoid any activities that bring on your symptoms, your tennis elbow will usually settle over time. Pain usually lasts for six to twelve weeks. In some people it can go after as little time as three weeks. However, in other people, pain can last for longer (for between six months to two years).
Q4. I have tennis elbow, what shall I do?
Take rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your elbow pain. Apply cold compress or heat pack for 15 minutes three to four times a day. Do not apply ice or a heat pack directly to your skin as it can damage your skin. Wear a strap, splint or brace around your forearm to help relieve the strain through your tendon. Do gentle exercises, specifically for tennis elbow, which help to ease stiffness, strengthen your joint and help you to get the full amount of movement back.
Q4. When shall one consult a doctor?
When there is swelling, redness, inflammation associated with fever and severe elbow pain which interferes with your daily activities. Self-care steps such as rest, ice and use of over-the-counter pain relievers do not ease your elbow pain and tenderness.