What is it? 

Tennis elbow or “Lateral Epicondylitis” is a condition that results in pain on the outside of the elbow. It generally occurs due to excessive overuse of the muscles and tendons on the top of the forearm.

What are the symptoms? 

These are usually pain and soreness on the outside of the elbow and sometimes in the muscles on the top of your forearm. This pain is generally provoked with certain activities such as turning a door handle, opening the lid of a jar or shaking someone's hand.

What are the causes?

As it's name suggests tennis elbow can occur through playing racquet sports, along with many other activities such as gardening, swimming and even typing on a key board.  The outside of your elbow is a point of attachment for many muscles (known as the common extensor tendon) that move the fingers, wrist and elbow. Repetitive movements at these joints can cause micro tears in the muscle and scar tissue to develop around the bony lump on the outside of the elbow (also known as the lateral epicondyle). This then causes pain, weakness and possible swelling in this area.

What is the Prevalence?

Generally only 5 in 100 people who play racquet sports develop tennis elbow, although you are more likely to get tennis elbow if you are playing frequently or for the first time.

What is the prognosis?

Tendons can be slow to heal and as this condition effects the “common extensor tendon” of the forearm, the symptoms can last for a number of weeks or even months. However 9 out of 10 cases can make a complete recovery with the appropriate advise and treatment.

* If you are suffering from these conditions it is important to note that physiotherapy can greatly speed up the recovery of tennis elbow and with our help it is highly likely that you will make a full recovery.

What types of treatment can we offer?

Acupuncture - To initiate a healing response and provide pain relief.

Exercise and Rehabilitation - To stretch and strengthen specific muscles and other soft tissue that has been injured. During early rehabilitation we can provide you with “eccentric exercises”, these exercises put less strain on the muscle and therefore optimise recovery during the early stages of rehab.

Deep tissue Massage- To reduce tension within the forearm muscles in order to improve tissue mobility, enhance muscle contraction and desensitize any painful areas.

Ultrasound Therapy- To speed up and optimise the healing process.

Taping - To “off load” the injured muscles/tendons in order to prevent any further injury.

Elbow Supports - can be considered and prescribed to help offload the affected area, reduce pain and increase function.

Education and Advice - To provide you with coping mechanisms and an understanding of why you have your symptoms.

Consultant and Sports Medicine referral - We are familiar with a range of expert consultants who we can refer you to if further medical intervantion is required.

Any Questions? Please Contact us