Four Key Questions About Tennis Elbow

1. What is tennis elbow and do only people who play tennis get it?

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition involving pain on the outside of the elbow and possibly radiating down the forearm. This occurs when the muscles on the top side of the forearm that bend the wrist back are overloaded through repetition and/or force. While lateral epicondylitis can frequently occur in tennis players and other athletes, anyone performing repetitive wrist movements can be at risk for this relatively common condition. Other repetitive motions or jobs which can lead to lateral epicondylitis include typing, working with tools, pushing/pulling, painting, carpentry, and weightlifting. Specifically, here in the Manvel and Pearland, Texas area, cycling is a popular physical activity that can lead to tennis elbow, especially if a bike is poorly fitted to the rider. Amongst cyclists, this ailment is sometimes called, wait for it… Cyclist’s elbow.

2. How is lateral epicondylitis treated?

Lateral epicondylitis is sometimes treated through pain medication, cortisone steroid injections, and surgery. However, these options often provide only temporary relief and can come with some unwanted side effects. Fortunately, lateral epicondylitis can also be relieved with physical therapy which may include guided use of a simple counterforce brace or compression band, manual therapy, dry needling, and exercise! Some folks see the “-itis” at the end of “lateral epicondylitis” and simply treat the condition as an inflammatory one. While, indeed, there is inflammation in the earliest stage of the condition, there are likely more relevant factors such as poor blood supply, calcification, micro and macro-tearing of muscles and tendons and a whole host of other irregularities at the cellular level. Looking at the bigger picture, there are likely other areas of weakness and compensation happening to cause the overload in the first place. Thus, the most effective treatment plan will be more specific and made only after a thorough exam and patient interview. If you believe you may have tennis elbow, come see your physical therapist at Live to Move and see if you are a candidate for PT!

3. What can I expect, exactly, if I choose physical therapy to treat my lateral epicondylitis?

At your first therapy session, a Doctor of Physical Therapy will examine you to determine the origin of your pain and what strength and/or range of motion deficits you may have. Careful palpation and special tests will be used to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate it from osteoarthritis, referred pain from the neck, or a growth plate disorder, just to name a few. Treatment will also be performed that same day to help improve your symptoms. Instructions on a home exercise program tailored to your specific wants and needs will also be given. Your follow-up sessions will include manual therapy such as joint manipulation and massage, as well as the option of dry needling at no extra cost. Follow-up sessions will also review your home program to ensure you are performing your exercises correctly and provide progressions or regressions as appropriate. It may not be the greatest business model, but physical therapists want their patients to become independent and well as soon as possible. That being said, progress will be measured quantitatively and qualitatively on a regular basis so that you can confidently “graduate” from PT as soon as possible.

4. What is the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?

Not much. Golfer’s elbow, also called medial epicondylitis, is essentially the inverse of tennis elbow and affects the muscles on the other side of the forearm. Pain is present on the inside of the elbow instead of the outside and is caused from repetitive wrist flexion, a motion used frequently in golf. Since many daily activities and sports require a combination of wrist movements you can get medial epicondylitis from activities such as pulling/pushing, typing, working with tools, etc.