Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

What is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

Tennis Elbow, or more commonly known as Lateral Epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain, weakness, numbness/ tingling or swelling on the outside of your elbow and forearm. The pain is commonly attributed to repetitive overuse or manual tasks of the forearm extensor muscles, whose role is to control gripping and wrist/finger extension.

How does Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) occur?

Tennis elbow/ Lateral Epicondylitis is categorised as a repetitive upper-extremity stress injury. Sports such as:

• Tennis

• Volleyball

• Badminton

• Throwing sports

or careers such as tradesman, gardeners and computer-work, contribute to an overload of the forearm muscles. The repetitive contraction of this group of muscles creates microtrauma or micro-tearing of the common tendon, resulting in inflammation and pain.

What should you avoid doing if you have Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

The suspected repetitive action or overload placed on the forearm muscles should be avoided, or at a minimum decreased. Caution should be exercised when returning to the aggravating activity or sport. Actions such as computer work, gripping objects, and lifting children with the affected arm should be avoided to maximise recovery time.

What treatments are there if you have Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

There is a range of treatment options ranging from home management, manual/physical therapy, and in rare cases, surgery. In most cases, the condition will get better with rest and manual therapy. However, if left untreated for an extended period it can take longer to recover and may require more invasive methods of treatment which are discussed below.

What can I do at home to help with my Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

• Ice: Icing the elbow after use to reduce swelling and inflammation.

• Bracing/support: An elbow brace should be fitted correctly to reduce tension where the muscle inserts. We recommend 3 finger-widths from the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow.

• Rest: Gripping activities should be avoided while the wrist is painful.

• Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can reduce the inflammation in the area. However, you should always discuss medications with your general practitioner.

• Exercises/ stretches: After assessment via your osteopath, a set of exercises and stretches to perform at-home will be implemented to enhance recovery and prevent reoccurrence.

Do I need surgery for Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) if it’s not going away with rest?

Surgery for Lateral Epicondylitis is rare as there are quite a few treatment options even after manual/ physical therapy, that can be explored:

• Steroid Injection: The most common injection we see for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis is a corticosteroid injection. These are usually only suggested when rest, medication and physical therapy have failed to relieve symptoms.

• Platelet Rich Plasma Injection: Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy takes growth factors and platelets from your own blood and injects them back into your injured area. This can help stimulate the growth and regeneration of new tissue, thus accelerating the healing process of your joint or injured body part.

• Shockwave therapy: This is a non-invasive, non-surgical use of ultrasound waves. The waves reach potentially damaged muscles, tendons to promote natural recovery.

• Surgery: Two common surgeries for Tennis Elbow are Open and Arthroscopic approaches. Discussions with your orthopaedic surgeon will dictate which is most appropriate for your case.

Can my Osteopath help with Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?

Osteopaths commonly treat both Golfer’s and Tennis Elbow (Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis). Firstly they take a detailed health history ranging from previous trauma/ injuries to activities of daily living. They may:

• Assess your elbow and may order radiographic imaging to assist with the correct diagnosis and prognosis (tissue healing time).

• Help identify the actions in your day-to-day life, which may be contributing to your condition.

• This allows them to make suggestions on how to perform certain tasks as to not irritate the tendon and muscles further.

• Utilise specific soft tissue, joint manipulation and adjunct treatment techniques during your 45min appointment, to promote tissue healing, restore range-of-motion and increase fluid movement.

• We also provide Shockwave therapy and Laser therapy which may help reduce pain and inflammation in Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis).

• A comprehensive exercise and stretching rehabilitation program is prescribed by our osteopaths. Once we help reduce your pain and inflammation we can slowly reintroduce strength training to help you return to your daily activities, and down the track, sports and the initial aggravating activity,

Providing healthcare with our osteopaths near me in Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, Balwyn, Canterbury, Camberwell, Camberwell East, Richmond, Malvern and Glen Iris.