Better Understanding Tennis Elbow and How Physiotherapy Can Help?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common injury that affects the outer part of the elbow. This condition can cause significant pain and weakness in the arm, making it difficult to perform even simple tasks. But, with the right treatment and rehabilitation, individuals with tennis elbow can make a full recovery and regain their strength. One of the most effective treatments for tennis elbow is physiotherapy.
Introduction
Tennis elbow is a painful condition that affects the outer part of the elbow, where the forearm tendons attach to the bone. This condition is caused by overuse and repetitive motions, such as playing tennis, using a computer mouse or even lifting heavy objects. The pain and weakness caused by tennis elbow can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life, making it difficult to perform daily tasks and hobbies. However, with the right treatment and rehabilitation, individuals with tennis elbow can make a full recovery and regain their strength.
What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is a type of repetitive strain injury that affects the outer part of the elbow. It is caused by overuse and repetitive motions, such as playing tennis, using a computer mouse or even lifting heavy objects. The constant repetition of these motions can cause small tears in the tendons that attach the forearm to the elbow, resulting in pain and weakness.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The symptoms of tennis elbow can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms include:
Pain and weakness in the outer part of the elbow
Stiffness in the elbow
A burning sensation in the forearm
Weakness in the wrist and hand
Tenderness when touching the outer part of the elbow
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is caused by overuse and repetitive motions, such as playing tennis, using a computer mouse or even lifting heavy objects. The constant repetition of these motions can cause small tears in the tendons that attach the forearm to the elbow, resulting in pain and weakness.
How Physiotherapy Can Help with Tennis Elbow
Physiotherapy is an effective treatment option for individuals with tennis elbow. Physiotherapists are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including tennis elbow. They can provide individuals with a personalized treatment plan that includes exercises and stretches to help alleviate pain and improve strength.
Here are some ways physiotherapy can help with tennis elbow:
Reduce pain and swelling
Improve range of motion
Strengthen the muscles and tendons in the forearm
Increase flexibility and reduce stiffness
Improve overall function and quality of life
Benefits of Physiotherapy for Tennis Elbow
Physiotherapy has a range of benefits for individuals with tennis elbow. Here are some of the key benefits:
Non-invasive treatment option
Safe and effective
Personalized treatment plan
Can be used in combination with other treatments
Can help prevent future injuries
Tennis elbow is a common condition that can cause significant pain and weakness in the arm. However, with the right treatment and rehabilitation, individuals with tennis elbow can make a full recovery and regain their strength. One of the most effective treatments for tennis elbow is physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can provide individuals with a personalized treatment plan that includes exercises and stretches to help alleviate pain and improve strength. If you are experiencing symptoms of tennis elbow, it is important to seek treatment from a trained professional, such as a physiotherapist, to ensure a successful recovery.
FAQs
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a type of repetitive strain injury that affects the outer part of the elbow. It is caused by overuse and repetitive motions, such as playing tennis, using a computer mouse or even lifting heavy objects.
Why tennis elbow happens?
Tennis elbow can occur when a task is done repetitively that is beyond the “load tolerance” of the tendons associated with tennis elbow. Over time, the small collagen fibers within the tendons begin to microtear and breakdown, progressively getting worse, as often indicated by an increase in pain as the injury becomes worse.
Who diagnose and who to see for tennis elbow?
Your physiotherapist should be your first point of contact. Physiotherapists are trained professionals for musculoskeletal injuries like this and likely would have seen the condition many times due to it being such a common injury. If needed, your physiotherapist can also send you for a scan to ascertain the severity of the injury.
What are the symptoms of tennis elbow?
The symptoms of tennis elbow can vary from person to person, but some common symptoms include pain and weakness in the outer part of the elbow, stiffness in the elbow, a burning sensation in the forearm, weakness in the wrist and hand, and tenderness when touching the outer part of the elbow.
What causes tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is caused by overuse and repetitive motions, such as playing tennis, using a computer mouse or even lifting heavy objects. The constant repetition of these motions can cause small tears in the tendons that attach the forearm to the elbow, resulting in pain and weakness.
Can physiotherapy help with tennis elbow?
Yes, physiotherapy is an effective treatment option for individuals with tennis elbow. Physiotherapists are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including tennis elbow. They can provide individuals with a personalized treatment plan that includes exercises and stretches to help alleviate pain and improve strength.
Is physiotherapy safe for tennis elbow?
Yes, physiotherapy is a safe and effective treatment option for individuals with tennis elbow. Physiotherapists are trained professionals who will work with individuals to develop a safe and effective treatment plan.
Will tennis elbow go away?
Usually not. In certain circumstances, when the initial injury was minor and you were able to adequately rest after, the injury may improve on its own. However, this is unlikely, with the most common outcome being a gradual progression of the symptoms over time.