Tennis Elbow: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Tennisarmbåge, även kallad lateral epikondylit

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis or elbow tendinitis, is a painful condition that affects the outside of the elbow. Despite its name, it is not limited to tennis players. In this article, we will go through the most common symptoms, causes, and treatment options for tennis elbow.

What is Tennis Elbow? An Introduction to Lateral Epicondylitis

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury on the outer side of the elbow. It causes pain, stiffness, and weakness in the arm. Rest, physical therapy, and ergonomic aids can help alleviate symptoms.

The condition occurs when there are small tears in the connective tissue that attaches the muscles to the outer side of the elbow. The discomfort often develops gradually after repeated strain, where the muscle attachment at the elbow becomes overloaded. A "false tennis elbow" can sometimes occur when the pain actually originates from neck issues, but symptoms resemble classic tennis elbow.

Symptoms of Tennis Elbow: Common Signs and Discomfort

Tennis elbow often develops gradually and can vary in intensity. Common symptoms include:

  • Pain on the outside of the elbow: This is often the most prominent symptom. The pain may radiate down into the forearm and sometimes up towards the upper arm.
  • Weakness in the hand and wrist: You may experience difficulty gripping or lifting objects, especially when the wrist is extended.
  • Stiffness in the elbow: The joint may feel stiff, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
  • Increased pain with certain activities: Pain often worsens during activities that involve twisting of the forearm or backward bending of the wrist.
  • Tenderness to touch: The area around the outside of the elbow may be tender to pressure.

Pain in the elbow can become particularly noticeable during everyday activities such as lifting a milk carton or using a screwdriver. Many describe it as painful to extend their hand and grasp items. Prolonged discomfort can lead to continuous aching even at rest, affecting one’s ability to perform normal daily activities.

Causes of Tennis Elbow: Overuse, Tennis, and Repetitive Movements

Several factors can contribute to developing tennis elbow:

  • Overuse: Repetitive movements involving the wrist and forearm are the most common cause.
  • Occupation or hobby: Individuals who work with computers, musicians, painters, and others who perform repetitive hand movements are at higher risk.
  • Poor technique: In sports or work, improper technique can increase strain on tendons.
  • Age: The condition is most common among individuals over 40 years old.
  • Weak muscles: Weakness in forearm muscles can increase susceptibility to overuse injuries.

Despite its name, most people with tennis elbow do not play tennis. Unilateral movements in work or daily life are more common causes. Tears in muscle attachments can develop gradually through repeated strain or suddenly from a single overexertion. Poor ergonomics while working on a computer is a common modern cause of discomfort.

Diagnosis, Exercises, and When to Seek Care: Treatment of Tennis Elbow

To effectively treat tennis elbow, it is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis and choose the right treatment method:

Behandlingsmetod Beskrivning Fördelar med Tennisarmbågsskydd
Vila och avlastning Minska belastningen på armbågen Ger stöd och påminner om att undvika överbelastning
Fysioterapi Övningar för att stärka och stretcha Stödjer under övningar och främjar läkning
Antiinflammatoriska läkemedel Minskar smärta och inflammation Kan minska behovet av medicin genom naturligt stöd
Ergonomiska justeringar Anpassa arbetsplats eller sportutrustning Kompletterar ergonomiska förbättringar
Ett strukturerat träningsprogram med tennisarmbåge övningar är ofta en viktig del av behandlingen. En fysioterapeut eller arbetsterapeut kan utforma ett individuellt anpassat program. Övningarna syftar till att gradvis stärka musklerna och öka blodcirkulationen till det skadade området, vilket främjar läkning. I vissa fall kan smärtlindring från apotek vara nödvändig för att hantera smärtan under läkningsprocessen.
Tennisarmbåge Skydd - Komforten

Elbow Support for Tennis Elbow: How the Right Support Reduces Strain on the Wrist

The tennis elbow support from Komforten offers several benefits for individuals suffering from tennis elbow:

  • Provides targeted pressure on the muscles below the elbow, relieving tension on the tendon attachment.
  • Helps distribute load over a larger area, reducing stress on the injured area.
  • Can be worn during daily activities to provide continuous support and remind users to avoid overexertion.
  • Supports rehabilitation exercises and may contribute to faster recovery.
  • Prevents further injuries by limiting extreme movements that could worsen the condition.

A tennis elbow support works most effectively when used regularly during activities that strain the arm. The support creates even pressure that relieves inflammation at the muscle attachment and supports healing throughout the recovery process. For many, it can be an essential part of treatment to continue necessary daily activities while healing progresses.

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Conclusion

Tennis elbow can be a painful and frustrating condition, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, most people can experience significant improvements. By combining rest, physical therapy, and the use of supportive aids like the Tennis Elbow Support from Komforten, many can effectively manage their symptoms and return to normal activities. It is important to be patient during the healing process and to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Things you can do yourself to speed up healing include being mindful of your work posture, using ergonomic tools, taking regular breaks at work, performing recommended exercises, and being careful not to overload your arm during the healing phase. With the right combinations of self-care, professional treatment, and supportive aids, most cases of tennis elbow can heal without lasting effects.

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