Is Tennis Elbow a Real Affliction? Is It Really Caused by Tennis?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a real affliction and it can be caused by playing tennis; however, tennis isn’t the only thing that can cause it. Tennis elbow is a form of tendinitis that afflicts the elbow, and is caused by any overuse of the forearm muscles. People can get tennis elbow from gardening, throwing heavy objects, twisting hand tools, repeatedly moving their elbow, or making a tight fist too often. The symptoms can include pain in the elbow when the person tries to lift something heavy or shake hands with someone. There’s also tenderness along the outside of the elbow.
Interestingly, professional tennis players don’t develop tennis elbows that often, for they know how to play the game in ways that don’t overstress their forearms.
Fortunately, tennis elbow is easy to treat. The Hand and Wrist Institute, which serves the Los Angeles area, has several modalities for eradicating tennis elbow, including use of pain medications such as NSAIDs, therapy or rest. Some patients wear a tennis elbow strap, or find pain relief with steroid injections. Most patients won’t need surgery, which is a last resort.
Tennis elbow is the name commonly given to pain in the arm just above the elbow. The problem is caused by small tears in the muscle that is attached to the bone above the elbow. When people do repetitive activity that strains this area, it can lead to experiencing pain in that part of the arm. It’s really from overuse and strain. It happens often for anyone who plays tennis as they exert that muscle. However, any activity that involves twisting the wrist over and over can lead to tennis elbow. Painters, mechanics, construction workers, and those who use the keyboard often may find themselves becoming victims of tennis elbow.
It is definitely a real condition and it can be very painful. A person can experience weakness in the arm and grasp. Tennis elbow can get in the way of doing something one enjoys or performing work effectively. A visit to the doctor can confirm the source of the problem. Rest and pain relievers may help the condition. Surgery is recommended when all else fails.
