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Tennis Elbow: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

 

If you play tennis or other racquet sports, you may have experienced a painful condition called tennis elbow. But what exactly is tennis elbow and how can you prevent or treat it? In this blog post, we'll explain everything you need to know about this common injury. 

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a type of tendinitis that affects the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. These tendons can become inflamed, irritated, or torn due to overuse or repetitive stress. The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow, which may radiate to the forearm and wrist. The pain may worsen when you grip something, twist your wrist, or extend your arm. 

Tennis elbow is not only caused by playing tennis, although it is more common among racquet sport players. It can also affect people who do other activities that involve repetitive wrist and arm motions, such as carpentry, painting, gardening, typing, or knitting. Some risk factors for developing tennis elbow include age (it usually affects people between 30 and 50 years old), poor technique or equipment (such as using a racquet that is too heavy or has a wrong grip size), and lack of warm-up or stretching before and after exercise.

The good news is that tennis elbow usually heals on its own with rest and self-care measures. Here are some tips to help you recover from tennis elbow:

  • - Apply ice to the affected area for 15 minutes several times a day to reduce inflammation and pain.
  • - Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed.
  • - Wear a brace or strap around your forearm to support the injured tendon and relieve pressure on the elbow.
  • - Avoid activities that aggravate your pain or cause further damage to the tendon.
  • - Do gentle stretching exercises to improve your range of motion and flexibility.
  • - Consult a physical therapist who can teach you exercises to strengthen your forearm muscles and prevent recurrence of tennis elbow.
  • - If your symptoms do not improve after six weeks of conservative treatment, you may need to see a doctor who can prescribe stronger anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, or surgery in rare cases. 

Tennis elbow can be a frustrating and debilitating condition, but with proper care and prevention, you can get back to your favorite activities without pain. Remember to always warm up before exercising, use proper technique and equipment, and take breaks from repetitive tasks. If you have any questions or concerns about tennis elbow, don't hesitate to contact your health care provider.

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Location: New York, NY, USA

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