|
Tennis Elbow or Lateral Epicondylitis is a condition when the outer part
of the elbow becomes painful and tender, usually as a result of a specific
strain, overuse, or a direct bang. Sometimes no specific cause is found. Tennis Elbow is similar
to golfers elbow which affects the other side of the elbow.
The outer part of the elbow is painful and tender to touch.
Movements
of the elbow, and also movements which involve lifting, with the hand on
top, hurt.
Although called tennis elbow, lateral epicondylitis is much more
commonly seen in people who are over using their arm doing something else.
It could equally well be called "plasterer's elbow" or
"mechanic's elbow" or "painter's elbow". The most common cause is over use of the muscles which are attached to
the bone at this part of the elbow. That is to say, the muscles which pull
the hand backwards (the wrist extensors). All the extensor muscles of the
hand attach to the elbow at the outer part (the lateral epicondyle). If
they are strained or over used they become inflamed, which means they are
swollen, painful and tender to touch.
The doctor or
osteopath will test for tenderness over or near to
the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. He or she will also test to see
whether the pain gets worse when you bend the wrist back (extend it)
against resistance. In the event of both these signs being present, it is
likely that you have tennis elbow.
Your doctor may also examine your neck, as this may be the cause, or
part of the problem. After all many of the things that might strain your
elbow might also put a strain on your neck.
|
