Tennis Elbow – Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as “tennis elbow,” is a painful condition involving the tendons that attach to the bone on the outside (lateral) part of the elbow.  These tendons function with wrist extension. With inflammation, this can lead to pain associated with activities, such as lifting. Sports such as tennis are commonly associated with this, but the problem can occur with any activity. Tennis elbow most commonly affects individuals between 40 and 50 years old. There isn’t a defined cause of tennis elbow but can be related to overuse. 

Treatment for Tennis Elbow

With tennis elbow, most (90%) patients will find that their symptoms go away spontaneously within a year. For others, both surgical and non-surgical treatments are available. Non-surgical treatments will always be considered first. 

Activity modification: Initially, the activity causing the condition should be limited. This includes lifting with “Palm up” instead of palm down. As well as carry objects closer to your body.: Anti-inflammatory medications can help alleviate the pain.

Brace: A tennis elbow brace or counterforce brace may change the pull of the muscles and lead to less tension on elbow.

Physical therapy: Stretching and/or strengthening exercises, ultrasound, or heat treatments may help.

Steroid injections: A steroid medication can help the pain but may delay the healing process.

Surgery is only considered when the pain is incapacitating and has not responded to other treatments, and when symptoms have lasted a year. Surgery involves removing the diseased, degenerated tendon tissue. The surgery would be performed in an outpatient setting. 

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