Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis is an inflammation of the muscles that connect to the outer portion of your elbow. These muscles can be inflamed and cause pain and tenderness over the lateral epicondyle. The pain radiates down the forearm. This will cause weakness of the wrist and hand as well as pain in the elbow. Tennis elbow can occur because of a repetitive motion, particularly when gripping objects such as: tennis racket, golf clubs, steering wheel, carpentry and typing.

Symptoms

  • Pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow
  • Pain made worse by lifting a heavy object
  • Pain when gripping objects
  • Pain that shoots down the forearm

Diagnosis

Your physician will evaluate your injury by taking a complete medical history, including mechanism of injury, prior injuries and symptoms. Your physician will perform a complete physical examination of your elbow.

Treatment

  • Rest
  • Ice Massage
  • Use ice for 20 minutes on with 40 minutes off throughout the day
  • Exercises recommended by your physical therapist
  • Take an anti-inflammatory or pain medication prescribed by your physician
  • An injection of a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation

Prevention

Surgery is an option in severe cases when progress is not seen because pain has not been relieved. Surgery is often a last resort for reducing pain.

For inquiries, call or text the Moving Forward Company at (212) 606-4035.

Moving Forward Physical Therapy PC