TENNIS ELBOW NEWS
Tennis Elbow Outside of Elbow - The onset of pain, on the outside (lateral) of the elbow is usually gradual with tenderness felt on or below the joints bony prominence. Movements such as gripping, lifting and carrying can be troublesome.
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Golfers Elbow Inside of Elbow - The cause of golfer's elbow is similar to tennis elbow, the difference: pain and tenderness are felt on the inside (medial) of the elbow, on or around the joint's bony prominence.
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Bursitis Back of Elbow - Bursitis is usually due to excessive leaning on the joint or a direct blow or fall onto the tip of the elbow. Many times a lump can be seen and the elbow is painful at the back of the joint. |
Tennis Elbow is also known as lateral
epicondylitis (inflammation of the lateral epicondyle)even though inflammation
is not always present, a point we'll discuss later on. A common source
of pain is damage to one or more of the extensor tendons, within the
group of the common extensor tendon (see diagram above).
Although the name may refer to a tennis related injury, tennis players
are not the only ones suffering. Any activity or sport, whether it be
recreational or work related, can cause this injury. Repetitive stress
and strain of the extensors can cause micro tears to form in
the tendons. The result is restriction of movement, inflammation and pain. Even
if the original injury heals, these areas are weak and prone to tear again,
which may lead to hemorrhaging and the formation of rough, granulated
tissue and calcium deposits in the surrounding tissues. In an acute
injury, inflammation forms when the body releases collagen into the injured
area. The pressure that results from this process can cut off blood flow
and pinch the radial nerve , a major nerves that supplies the
muscles of the forearm and hand. Tingling and numbness can be
felt in the forearm and hand and many people complain that their hands
are continually cold.
A fundamental factor in Tennis Elbow injuries are tight, inflexible muscles, and fascial restrictions. Muscle connect to tendons which then attach to bone. When a muscle contracts, it shortens, pulling on the tendons at both ends. Fascia is a connective tissue seen throughout the body. Muscles and surrounding tissues are meant to glide freely on top of one another. When they are restricted, the joint they supply won't have it's optimal range of motion. When muscles are tight they are already putting load on the tendon from a resting position!
Of interest is how the grip mechanism plays a vital role in both tennis and golfer's elbow. When gripping an object we are contracting the flexors of the hand and slightly stretching the extensors. Then we ask our muscles to extend or flex the hand at the wrist. You can imagine why a tendon would tear when
a.) the muscles are tight putting load on the tendon
b.) the tendons tighten when gripping
c.) the tendons are then ask to stretch past their extreme when extending the wrist
Think of the tendon/bone attachment as the "weakest link", most injuries occur
in that area.
Conventional treatment for tennis elbow may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). As previously mentioned, inflammation is not always present. That may sound strange because the suffix "itis" pertains to inflammation. Tissue can receive tears that are not traumatic enough to cause the vascular disruption necessary for an inflammatory response, in that case a more appropriate suffix would be "osis", meaning condition of (tendonOSIS). So why give anti-inflammatory medication when inflammation isn't present? Good question. Unfortunately, tennis elbow is often mistreated and misdiagnosed. These conditions can linger on for several months, even years, if not properly treated. Click here to read more on tendonitis vs. tendonosis.
Conditions that are acute and involve inflammation are typically "easy" to treat and patients recover in a relatively short period of time (4-6 weeks), where as non-inflammatory conditions tend to take longer (3-12 months).
Facts About Tennis Elbow
- Tennis players actually account for less then 5% of reported cases
- Half of all tennis players will suffer from this condition at some point
- Each year, approximately one person in every 25 will seek medical help for a "sports" injury, but not all of those injuries are sustained while playing sports. Any repetitive physical activity even walking, can injure muscles and joints
- Sports injuries are most commonly caused by poor training methods,
structural abnormalities, weakness in muscles, tendons, ligaments,
and unsafe exercising environments.
Tennis Elbow Links
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