- There are a number of muscles on the top of the forearm that all attach on the outside of the elbow (common extensor origin)
- If you injure this thick tendon base it can become quite sore and often slow to heal
- Injuries occur with excessive force or repetitive activities where the wrist is bent backwards (e.g. tennis-hence the name)
- Acute tennis elbow is a one off injury where you injure your elbow, there is some inflammation but it heals in approx 4-6 weeks
- Chronic is where it gradually gets worse or is left untreated for weeks or months. This takes much longer to treat and can become degenerative.
But I don’t play tennis!
Other ways to injure this area are:
- Lifting loads or weights incorrectly
- Typing with an elevated keyboard or wrist
- Lifting small children
- Housework/Gardening
- Tennis elbow can be difficult to fix because the blood supply to the middle of such a thick tendon base is poor
- Acupuncture and cupping is particularly effective at increasing the blood supply to this region
- Massage and stretches are useful but need accurate prescription
- Eccentric exercises are critical to recover the integrity of the tendon
– These are a carefully prescribed set of exercises where the muscles are worked as they lengthen only
– This stresses the fibres of the tendon allowing them to heal in the right direction without tearing further fibres
- A brace can be effective during activities that are usually painful
If you suspect you have Tennis Elbow, give us a call on 9922 2212 to book an appointment now!