Orthopaedic Conditions- Tennis Elbow

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Tennis elbow, also referred to as lateral epicondylitis, is a common cause of elbow pain in athletes. Tennis elbow is considered a cumulative trauma injury that occurs over time from repeated use of the muscles of the arm and forearm. The pain of tennis elbow is thought to be related to small tears and damage to the tendons that attach muscles of the forearm to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. 

This injury is common in people who play a lot of tennis or other racquet sports, hence the name "tennis elbow." 

However, any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist (like using a screwdriver) can lead to this condition. Therefore, painters, plumbers, construction workers, cooks, and butchers are all more likely to develop tennis elbow. 

Elbow pain that gradually worsens, Pain radiating from the outside of the elbow to the forearm and back of the hand when grasping or twisting and weak grasp. 

Rest is the first treatment for tennis elbow. Stop all activities that cause the pain and use the RICE treatment method to reduce pain and swelling. Conservative treatments are often all that is needed for a full recovery of a tendinitis which usually resolves in a few days to a few weeks. 

To help prevent tennis elbow:

• Apply an ice pack to the outside of the elbow.
• Maintain good strength and flexibility in the arm muscles and avoid repetitive motions.
• Rest the elbow when bending and straightening are painful.
• Lift objects with your palm facing your body.
• Try strengthening exercises with hand weights. With your elbow cocked and your palm down, repeatedly bend your wrist. Stop if you feel any pain.
• Stretch relevant muscles before beginning a possibly stressful activity by grasping the top part of your fingers and gently but firmly pulling them back toward your body. Keep your arm fully extended and your palm facing outward.

An elbow arthroscopy introduces an arthroscope (small 'telescope') into the elbow joint through several small 2-3 millimeter incisions.The arthroscope is used to identify the location of the loose bodies and the spurs.The loose bodies can be removed by using the arthroscope in addition to small grasping instruments. The bone spurs can be removed by visualizing the spur with the arthroscope and using a small burr to remove the spur.These elbow arthroscopic procedures take about 30-90 minutes and are done on an day-case basis (without an overnight stay in the hospital). 

When the tennis elbow needs treatment, the best authenticate and reliable person is Dr. Mohan.