Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow is an inflammation that arises from repetitive movements of the elbow. The condition affects the tendons that join the extensor and flexor muscles of the wrist toms develop gradually over some period of time.
Lateral epicondylitis is a malady found most commonly among those who are engaging in work or recreational activities that involve swinging the arm again and again while gripping something tightly as is the case when a tennis player yields a tennis racket. The International Tennis Federation notes that fully half of all professional tennis players will suffer symptoms associated with lateral epicondylitis at some point during the course of their careers.
Tennis elbow symptoms at some point in their lives.
The syndrome affects more men than women. Though it can affect individuals of any age, it’s most commonly found in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Most people who develop lateral epicondylitis will do so on their dominant side, meaning right-handed people tend to develop the condition in their left elbow.
When you repeatedly contract and extend your forearm, you’re putting stress on the tendons that join the forearm muscles to the lateral epicondyle, which places additional stress on tissues farther from the anchor site.
Research shows that micro-ruptures occur through three sets of circumstances:
• Over-use
Any repetitive activity that involves moving one’s arm while gripping or grasping places stresses on tendon attachments that can result in lateral epicondylitis.
• Trauma
Less frequently, a sudden jerking motion that involves great force or a direct blow tory response that sparks the development of lateral epicondylitis.
• Heredity
Genetically linked mesenchymal disorders that affect connective tissues can also cause tennis elbow sympto be bilateral.
With lateral epicondylitis, simple movements such as shaking hands, turning door knobs or washing dishes can become excruciatingly uncomfortable. The pain associated with lateral epicondylitis tends to 24 hours after the overuse injury occurred.
Along with discomfort, many people will also experience weakness in the affected hand. You may also find it exceedingly difficult toms often persist for months even with treatment.
There are also certain circumstances in which it’s important to have that diagnosis ruled out or confirmed as soon as possible even if you suspect the discomfort is associated with lateral epicondylitis.
The definitive physical examination that physicians perform to behaviors that might put you at risk for developing repetitive stress injuries.
You will then be asked to resist. If the pain in your upper forearm and elbow area increase, then you have lateral epicondylitis.
Tennis elbow will resolve on its own with rest in many cases. It’s a painful condition, however, so people affected by it frequently seek medical attention to limit the use of the affected arm.
Treatments for lateral epicondylitis aim to the affected elbow when you move your arms so that the injury will not reoccur.
• Braces
A forearm brace may be able to muscle atrophy and increased weakness.
• Physical therapy
Physiotherapeutic exercises used in conjunction with lateral epicondylitis are designed tor muscles of the wrist. Deep tissue massage can also be useful in breaking up knots of granulated tissue deep within the connective tissues around the elbow.
• Corticosteroid injections
If immobilization and oral non-steroidal anti-inflamma to patients who are suffering from an infection, and no patient should ever receive more than three injections over the course of a single year.
• Other injections
Some patients have found relief from their tennis elbow symptox-type drugs. Acupuncture have also yielded positive results in some instances.
• Ultrasonic tenotomy
Ultrasonic tenoto liquefy the damaged tissue, which can then be suctioned out through the needle.