Tennis elbow is a common injury caused by strain in the tendons in the forearm. The tendons become inflamed where they join the outside of the elbow joint. This condition is not to be confused with Golfer’s Elbow – a similar condition but with the strained tendons connecting to the inner elbow joint. Any repetitive actions or activity that involves gripping or twisting the forearm and wrist can cause this type of strain.
Even though the condition is known as ‘tennis elbow’, it rarely arises from overplaying or consistently playing tennis. Usually people begin to suffer from this condition due to work conditions or strain caused by various types of exercise or activity.
Physiotherapy is one of the recommended treatments for tennis elbow. With the right treatment plan in place, a physiotherapist can help reduce or completely eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with tennis elbow.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms and Treatments
The symptoms of tennis elbow can vary from patient to patient. It can range from mild discomfort on the outside of your elbow joint to severe pain and immobility. The outside of the elbow is usually tender to the touch and there may be some swelling in this area. The pain can move down the forearm as well.
Usually, tennis elbow can be cleared up with some simple treatments, such as over the counter pain medication, anti-inflammatory cream, and refraining from overusing your wrist and forearms. However, if the tennis elbow pain and inflammation has not cleared up after 2-4 weeks, some other treatments are recommended.
Doctors could recommend steroid injections as a treatment for tennis elbow, however many will also refer you to a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist can help with tennis elbow caused by an injury or overuse as well as chronic tennis elbow. It is effective for both short and low term management of tennis elbow.
When it comes to tennis elbow, physiotherapy aims to:
- Reduce elbow pain
- Restore a normal range of motion
- Restore normal strength and mobility
- Facilitate tissue repair
- Restore normal muscle and tendon length and function
Physiotherapy can include mobilisation and massage techniques to stimulate the repair and management of tennis elbow. In some cases, a brace may also be beneficial and may be recommended by your physiotherapist..
Contact Physio Art for Tennis Elbow Treatment
If you’re looking for treatment for tennis elbow pain and other symptoms, contact Physio Art to book an appointment. Physiotherapy Hamilton can help treat the pain and discomfort associated with Tennis Elbow and get you back to your highest level of functioning.
Contact us today to book a physiotherapy appointment!
