Surf Coast Times & Bellarine Times

Tennis elbow is one of the most common injuries sustained in racquet sports. It is also common amongst tradespeople, where the occupation requires gripping activities such as the use of tools, or office workers doing a lot of typing or data entry.

Tennis elbow has other medical diagnostic labels such as lateral epicondylitis or extensor tendinopathy. Basically, this injury is an overuse or repetitive strain injury of the forearm muscles at the point where their common tendon attaches to the elbow.

The onset of symptoms can be slow and gradual or can happen quickly. Usually in the early stages it will cause no pain during sport but will ache and be tender after cooling down or the next day.

In more advanced cases, it will restrict playing, cause reduced power and grip and will even be sore doing simple things like pouring a drink.

Management of this injury needs a multi-faceted approach. The cause needs to be identified and modified. Common contributing factors are repetition of task; incorrect racquet head size or grip size; over-training or a big increase in playing load too quickly; poor technique; heavy typing loads on keyboards.

Physiotherapy can be of help to this condition. Ultrasound, electrotherapy, anti-inflammatory medication, massage, stretching, dry needling and ice are all used routinely.

Eccentric strengthening exercises should be performed. Persistent cases sometimes respond well to cortisone injection. It is also well worth treating stiff cervical spine segments. Surgery is a last resort but does not have great results.

A tennis elbow strap can help to reduce the load on the tendon insertion and allow continuation of sport.

If you have problems with elbow pain you should contact a physiotherapist at one of the Corio bay Health Group Clinics for treatment and advice.