Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a term that describes elbow pain caused by overuse of arm, forearm, and hand muscles that then leads to strained tendons. Pain caused by tennis elbow typically appears where the muscles and tendons of the forearm attach to the outside bony area (the lateral epicondyle) of the elbow. Oftentimes, the pain also spreads to the forearm and wrist.
Though the name tennis elbow is derived from the fact it is a common condition among tennis players, anyone from athletes to those who work in positions such as mechanics and carpenters can suffer from tennis elbow.
Symptoms of tennis elbow can include:
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of tennis elbow at Austin Sports Medicine includes a patient interview and physical exam. Your doctor will discuss and assess your specific pain, and then make a determination of the cause as tennis elbow, or possibly another condition.
Treatment
Treatment options for tennis elbow are typically non-surgical, and may include care with anti-inflammatory medications, forearm bracing, activity modification and physical therapy. The goal of such treatment is to decrease stress on the injured elbow, reduce pain and inflammation and promote proper healing. When non-surgical methods are unsuccessful in reducing pain, our doctors may recommend a surgical procedure to repair the damaged tendon.