What is Tennis Elbow?
And why isn't yours getting better?
Tennis elbow (previously known as lateral epicondylitis) is now known as epicondylalgia and produces:
- Pain on the outside of the elbow.
- Pain on lifting and twisting movements.
- Pain may also occur at night when the arm is at rest.
- Pain gripping.
On the outside of the elbow joint is an area where lots of different tendons from the forearm insert onto the same area of bone. In cases of tennis elbow this "common insertion point" becomes very painful.
It can be caused by trauma such as a fall or impact to the area, but is more commonly caused by overuse or repetitive movements such as using hand tools, free weights or racquet sports like tennis.
We constantly use our elbow in everyday movements making it quite tricky to rest. Untreated tennis elbow can last weeks, months or longer.