Tennis Elbow Specialists in Telangana
Tennis Elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition caused by overuse and repetitive strain of the tendons that attach the forearm mu…
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What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis Elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition caused by overuse and repetitive strain of the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, it commonly affects people who perform repetitive gripping or wrist-extending motions in activities beyond tennis, including manual labor, painting, and computer use. The condition develops gradually from repeated microtrauma to the tendon, leading to small tears and degenerative changes rather than acute inflammation. Pain typically worsens with continued use of the affected arm and can significantly limit grip strength.
Mild
Common — affects about 1-3% of adults, particularly those aged 30-50
No
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Results from repetitive strain and overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons that attach at the outer elbow, commonly from activities involving repetitive wrist extension or gripping motions. Risk factors include occupations or sports requiring repetitive arm motion, improper technique in racquet sports, and age between 30 and 50.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow, pain that worsens with gripping or lifting, weakened grip strength, pain that radiates down the forearm, stiffness in the elbow, discomfort with simple activities like shaking hands or turning a doorknob
Treatment & Types of Tennis Elbow in Telangana
Initial treatment focuses on rest, activity modification, and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain, along with physical therapy exercises to strengthen and stretch the forearm muscles. A counterforce brace can help reduce strain on the tendon, and corticosteroid injections or, for persistent cases, minimally invasive procedures may be considered when conservative treatment fails.
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is generally understood as existing on a spectrum from acute cases, involving recent onset of pain from a clear increase in repetitive activity, to chronic cases, involving longstanding degenerative changes in the tendon from months of ongoing microtrauma rather than active inflammation. It is distinguished from golfer's elbow, a related but separate condition called medial epicondylitis affecting the tendons on the inner rather than outer elbow, though both share a similar overuse mechanism.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play tennis to get tennis elbow?
No, despite its name, tennis elbow commonly affects people who perform repetitive gripping or wrist-extending motions in activities well beyond tennis, including manual labor, painting, and computer use. Any repetitive forearm activity without adequate rest can contribute to this condition.
Is tennis elbow caused by inflammation or something else?
The condition develops from repeated microtrauma to the tendon leading to small tears and degenerative changes, rather than primarily an acute inflammatory process, which is part of why it can take a while to improve even with anti-inflammatory treatment. This degenerative nature is why a structured strengthening and stretching program is emphasized alongside pain relief.
Can tennis elbow heal without stopping the activity that caused it?
Some improvement is possible, but rest and activity modification alongside physical therapy exercises give the tendon the best chance to heal, since continuing the aggravating activity without change tends to prolong symptoms or worsen the underlying tendon damage. A counterforce brace can help reduce strain on the tendon while still allowing some activity.
When are injections or surgery considered for tennis elbow?
Corticosteroid injections or minimally invasive procedures are considered when conservative treatment with rest, physical therapy, and activity modification fails to adequately control symptoms after a reasonable trial period. Surgery is reserved for persistent cases that don't respond to these less invasive options.
Who is most likely to develop tennis elbow?
People in occupations or sports requiring repetitive arm motion, those using improper technique in racquet sports, and adults between 30 and 50 are at increased risk. Using proper technique and equipment, strengthening forearm muscles, and taking regular breaks during repetitive tasks all help reduce this risk.