Tennis elbow is a common injury among individuals experiencing elbow pain. The precise cause is unknown but believed to be due to miniature tears in the tendons that link the forearm muscles to the arm bone.
What are the signs?
An individual with tennis elbow can experience pain and inflammation. The elbow pain is usually on the outside that is aggravated by holding objects and moving the wrist backwards.
The usual indications of tennis elbow include:
- Elbow pain, usually on the outside aspect of the joint
- Discomfort when lifting objects
- Achiness that radiates down the forearm
The pain linked with tennis elbow typically has a gradual onset but can arise abruptly. In most cases, it develops between the ages of 35-65 years old. The condition generally affects the dominant arm in most cases.
Management of tennis elbow
The treatment for tennis elbow generally starts with simple measures. In most cases, the individual might respond to simple steps with adequate time. It is recommended to start treatment in a step-by-step basis and only advancing to the next option if one fails to lessen the symptoms.
Remember that most cases can take a few months from the start of the symptoms to full cessation.
A small percentage of individuals diagnosed with tennis elbow might require surgical intervention. Surgery is suggested if the conservative measures are not effective after a span of 6-12 months.