How can I have tennis elbow if I dont play tennis?
How can I have Tennis Elbow if I don’t play tennis?
Tennis Elbow or Lateral Epicondylalgia is more common than you may think and you don’t have to play a racquet sport to suffer from it!
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis Elbow is caused by an overloading of the muscles and tendons on the outside of your elbow. The role of these tendons are to extend (pull back) your wrist and fingers. Most of the time the pain comes on gradually which makes it difficult to identify the cause, however other times the cause can be attributed to a specific activity such as pulling weeds, hammering or lifting weights.
What are the Symptoms?
Depending on the severity and length of time you have had symptoms your pain:
- could be a constant ache in the lateral (outside) of your elbow or
- may occur with certain activities that involve lifting, reaching or grasping (eg pouring the kettle)
- could produce a catching sensation when you move your elbow
How is it Diagnosed?
There are a few specific tests which physiotherapists and other health care professionals (HCP) can use to diagnose tennis elbow.
How is it treated?
Once a definitive diagnosis has been made by a physiotherapist or HCP treatment will involve a variety of approaches:
- Mobilisations (gentle pain free movements) to the joint
- Soft tissue techniques
- Acupuncture/ Dry Needling
- Taping techniques
- Advice regarding ice/ therapy, activity modulation, elbow support/ brace
- Specific Home Exercise Programme for muscles of the elbow and shoulder.
Are there any examples of exercises?
- Exercises are dependent on the severity and the length of time you have had the injury.
- If you have an irritable/ reactive tendon then pain-free Isometric Contractions (Resisted holds) for 30-60 seconds with the elbow at 90 degrees and elbow at 20-30 degrees would be appropriate.
- Whereas if you have had your injury for longer than 6 months then eccentric/concentric (muscles lengthening and then shortening) exercises would be more appropriate. There could be some pain associated with this but as long as it doesn’t go over 3/10 pain and there is no pain the day after, then the number of repetitions and sets are appropriate.
- These are only examples- your physiotherapist will put together a specific programme for you.
How long will it take to heal?
There is no quick fix for Tennis Elbow so treatment can usually last between 6-12 weeks.
References:
1. Bisset, L. M., & Vicenzino, B. (2015). Physiotherapy management of lateral epicondylalgia. Journal of physiotherapy, 61(4), 174-181.
2. Coombes, B. K., Bisset, L., & Vicenzino, B. (2015). Management of lateral elbow tendinopathy: one size does not fit all. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 45(11), 938-949.
3. Coombes, B. K., Bisset, L., & Vicenzino, B. (2009). A new integrative model of lateral epicondylalgia. British journal of sports medicine, 43(4), 252-258.
4. Maitland, G. D. (1977). Peripheral manipulation. Butterworth-Heinemann.
5. Mulligan, B. R. (2004). Manual Therapy:” nags”,” snags”,” mwms” Etc. Opt.