Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a painful elbow ailment caused by overuse of wrist and arm. Tennis and other racquet activities, unsurprisingly, can induce this disease. However, a variety of other sports and activities, in addition to athletics, might put you at risk.

Tennis elbow is a condition characterised by inflammation or, in rare cases, micro-tearing of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. Overuse – repeating the same actions over and again — damages the forearm muscles and tendons. As a result, discomfort and tenderness develop on the outside of the elbow.
 

In most circumstances, therapy entails a collaborative effort. Primary care physicians, physical therapists, and, in certain situations, surgeons at SRS ORTHO Hospital collaborate to offer the best possible care.
 

The tennis elbow is frequently caused by injury to a certain forearm muscle. When the elbow is straight, the ECRB muscle serves to support the wrist. This happens, for example, during a tennis groundstroke. Overuse weakens the ECRB, causing minute rips in the tendon where it joins to the lateral epicondyle. Inflammation and discomfort develop as a result of this.

Because of its location, the ECRB may be more vulnerable to injury. The muscle brushes against bone bumps as the elbow bends and straightens. This can result in progressive muscular wear and tear over time.

Symptoms
 

Tennis elbow symptoms appear gradually. In most situations, the pain is minor at first and gradually intensifies over weeks and months. Typically, there is no identifiable injury connected with the onset of symptoms.
 

Tennis elbow is characterized by the following signs and symptoms:
 

• Experiencing pain or burning on the outside of your elbow

• A lack of grip strength

• Sometimes there is a nighttime ache

• Forearm action, such as grasping a racquet, spinning a wrench, or shaking hands, frequently aggravates the symptoms. The dominant arm is most commonly afflicted, however, both arms might be affected.
  
  The tests required
   

• Your doctor may advise you to undergo further testing to rule out other possible reasons for your condition.

• X-rays - X-rays offer detailed views of dense structures like bone. They can be used to rule out elbow arthritis.

• Scan with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - MRI scans produce pictures of the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles and tendons. An MRI scan may be requested to identify the amount of tendon damage or rule out other ailments. If your doctor suspects you have a neck problem, he or she may request an MRI scan to examine if you have a herniated disc or arthritic changes in your neck. Arm discomfort can be caused by either of these illnesses.

• Electromyography (EMG) - An EMG may be ordered by your doctor to rule out nerve compression. Many nerves pass through the elbow, and the symptoms of nerve compression are similar to tennis elbow.
  
  Treatment of Tennis Elbow
   

• Non-surgical management

• Nonsurgical therapy is effective in around 80 to 95 percent of patients.

• Rest - The first step toward recuperation is to rest your arm. This implies that you will have to refrain from or reduce your involvement in sports, strenuous labour, and other activities that generate uncomfortable symptoms for several weeks. 

• Therapy for the body - Specific workouts might assist to develop the forearm muscles. To enhance muscle recovery, your therapist may also use ultrasound, ice massage, or muscle-stimulating treatments.

• Brace - Using a brace centered across the back of your forearm may also help ease tennis elbow pain. This can help to alleviate discomfort by relaxing the muscles and tendons.

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) - It is a biological therapy used to enhance the tissue's biological environment. This entails drawing a tiny amount of blood from the arm and centrifuging (spinning) it to separate platelets from the solution. Platelets have a high concentration of growth factors and can be injected into the afflicted region. While some research on the efficacy of PRP has been unclear, others have yielded encouraging findings.

• Extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) - Shock wave treatment involves the application of sound waves to the elbow. Microtrauma is created by these sound waves, which enhance the body's natural healing processes. Many doctors consider shock wave treatment to be experimental, yet some evidence suggests it can be useful.

• Check the equipment. If you play racquet sports, your doctor may recommend that you have your equipment evaluated for a good fit. Stiffer racquets and looser-strung racquets may typically lower forearm tension, which means the forearm muscles do not have to work as hard. If you use an enormous racquet, switching to a smaller head may help avoid the recurrence of symptoms.