Causes and Treating A Tennis Elbow
November 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Remedies
Lateral epicondylitis is the scientific name for a tennis elbow. People who are involved in playing racket games like badminton and tennis and people involved in manual labor are very susceptible to sustaining a tennis elbow injury. The main reason for the occurrence of a tennis elbow is due to certain motions, which are being repeated on a regular basis by making use of the hand or the forearm like the swinging motion that is used to hit a hammer or a tennis racket.
Causes of a tennis Elbow :
The point where the tendons are attached to the bone of the upper arm or the humerus is where the tennis elbow injury occurs. A kind of shock will travel along the complete distance of the arm while it is holding something tightly like a hammer or a badminton or tennis racket. The tendons will then start tearing at the point of attachment and then get inflamed. The excessive strain and over usage of the tendon is the main reason for the occurrence of the tennis elbow injury. This tendon will help the hand to move in a backward direction from the wrist.
Symptoms of a Tennis Elbow :
The outer portion of the elbow will become very soft and tender and extremely sensitive to touch. The elbow will start paining and hurting during any kind of movement especially something, which involves lifting of heavy objects. People who are involved in sports like tennis and badminton will realize the importance of moving the complete arm as well as the wrist. The elbow is a part of the body, which many people take for, granted but they do not realize that this part will take a long time to heal after an injury.
Many people who have been doing the same kind of work for many long years are also likely to suffer from a tennis elbow injury. Some people will develop symptoms of a tennis elbow soon after they undertake some kind of new work. A painful feeling on the outside of the elbow is one of the most important symptoms of a tennis elbow. The pain will only increase while trying to hold things in a tight manner. The tendons and muscle coverings will start developing slight tears due to this. Even after a tennis elbow injury has healed completely, tears in the tendons and muscle coverings can take place easily.
Diagnosis of a Tennis Elbow :
A doctor or a physiotherapist will check for any kind of sensitive or tender feeling at the elbow. Any kind of pain, which is felt or experienced while trying to bend the wrist, is an indication of a tennis elbow. The pain will increase when trying to hold any objects in a tight grip.
Treatment of a Tennis Elbow :
People suffering from a tennis elbow should not try any kind of activity, which will cause any kind of pain in the forearm like playing tennis. Complete rest can help in healing the injury to a large extent. Ice as well as a variety of anti-inflammatory medications can help in providing a lot of relief from the pain and it will also hasten the process of healing. It will be necessary to wear and elbow or forearm brace in order to avoid the occurrence of tennis elbow injury in the future.
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In my opinion, you can’t stop people from doing the activity that they love or the activity that provides their livelihood because of tennis elbow. At least not in the first 48-72 hours.
I think tennis elbow largely develops from poor technique so if you are an athlete, ask your coach about how to improve your form. For everyday people, consult with a PT about how you can perform your everyday task the right way.
In anycase, it would be best to consult your doctor.