Serving Up A Sore Elbow? – A Look At Tennis Elbow

It makes perfect sense that if you are an avid tennis player that you might be at risk for tennis elbow, but did you know that you could develop tennis elbow even if you have never picked up a racket in your life?

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is an overuse injury caused by repetitive motion, and not necessarily repetitive swinging of a tennis racket. Swinging a hammer, or paintbrush, or excessive use of scissors could all result in tennis elbow.

Tennis elbow typically affects adults between the ages of thirty and fifty. The lateral or outside epicondyle of the elbow becomes inflamed and small tears in the tendons can occur as a direct result of the overuse. Pain can radiate from the outside of the elbow to the forearm and wrist.

Several treatment options are available including, rest, ice, taping of the forearm, bracing, physical therapy, or various injections. If you are on your way to becoming the next Roger Federer or if you spent the weekend cutting out snowflakes with scissors for your kindergarten class and are now struggling with pain on the outer aspect of your elbow, give us a call at Advanced Spine and Pain and let us help. The ball is now in your court.