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UpgradeIt is characterised by pain on the outside of the elbow and is a problem with tendons around the elbow. Tendons attach muscles to bone so using and stretching the muscles will have an effect on the tendon.
One or more tendons which attach around the elbow and move the wrist and forearm become inflamed. If the inflammation process continues the tendons can then show changes of wear and tear, with the tendon tissue becoming thickened or swollen. One muscle (called extensor carpi radialis brevis) is commonly involved, although it works in conjunction with several others so can be difficult to isolate and test specifically.
Gripping, writing and/or twisting movements requiring muscular effort often make the pain worse. The discomfort can be felt into the forearm (i.e. along the length of the muscles).
This test, shown for the right elbow, is often painful, and can be worse when the elbow is straight. Resistance to middle finger extension is another commonly positive test.
A similar pain can be felt on the inside of the elbow. This is sometimes called medial tennis elbow or 'golfer's elbow' where it affects different tendons.
It can occur at any age, but you do not have to play tennis to get it. It may happen as a result of a sporting injury, but most commonly it occurs for no apparent reason. It is most frequently found in middle age (between the ages of 40-50). Repetitive wrist and hand movements in work or sports are often a feature. It is found in equal numbers of men and women.
Varying degrees of pain on the outside of the elbow, from a mild discomfort when the elbow and wrist are used, to severe pain interfering with sleep and when the arm is still. Gripping and twisting movements are often painful and may be worse still against resistance or weight. Repeated movements such as doing DIY, or computer mouse work often aggravate the symptoms.
The outside of your elbow may be very tender to touch and you may notice some pain travelling down the forearm.
Symptoms of neck, shoulder or upper arm or hand pain should be reported to the doctor. In addition tell them if you feel any pins and needles or tingling in the arm or hand as these may indicate that the pain is coming from your neck or wrist, via the nerves in your arms.
The exact cause of lateral epicondylitis is not known. However it is thought to be an overuse problem. This relates both to how long and how hard the muscles are worked.
The main way we diagnose tennis elbow is through what you tell us and by examining your elbow. Sometimes an X ray will be taken although this only shows bones, and does not show muscle inflammation or wear and tear.
We appreciate that as you are attending Hospital you have probably had the problem for a long time or that it is particularly severe. However treatment is usually non-operative, with only a very small proportion requiring surgery. For most people the pain will go, although it may take up to a year.
There are various things that you can do that may change your pain. If you have not already tried these measures it is worth doing so now.
to reduce the stress on the tendon(s) so that your body can try and heal the area to break the pain cycle. Change things!
If possible, stop the particular activity that causes pain or find a different way of doing it. For example, you may find that you tend to use your wrist and hand rather than your elbow and shoulder. Try to avoid this and use the larger joints in the arm to 'spread the load'.
If you are involved in a sport/profession using repetitive movements, seek expert advice on your technique. A physiotherapist may be able to give you advice on your movement patterns as well as appropriate stretching and progressive strengthening exercises.
Be aware of the amount of force that you use to grip things. Look at your knuckles, are they white, showing you are gripping hard? Try and use the minimum amount of force to maintain contact.
Altering the grip size on objects you use may also have some beneficial effect. Often enlarging the grip is helpful, possibly reducing the weight of rackets/tools etc. is useful.
Using a splint or brace may be helpful. There are many available. It is better to try the counter-force braces for the elbow (see examples) rather than splints that stop the wrist moving. The wrist splints are best used only if the pain is very severe.
The counter-force splints aim to decrease the tension on the tendon, by using pressure from the brace on a different part of the muscle.
Place the brace just below (i.e. towards the wrist) the painful area. Wear it when you are using you arm and take it off at night/resting. Experiment with the brace in different places - if it is going to work it normally makes an immediate difference.
All the ideas mentioned above will, hopefully, influence the pain. Specific treatments may also help.
Try using a wet ice cube and massage it over the tender area for up to 10 minutes.
Try using anti-inflammatory cream on the area (from chemist without a prescription, but check you have no allergies or conditions that are influenced by these drugs).
Physiotherapy - this may include treatments to relieve pain such as transcutaneous nerve stimulation, ultrasound and laser. The effects are not proven, but rarely cause worsening symptoms. Thorough assessment of your arm, advice and exercises are probably more important aspects of treatment.
Injection - this is given around the area (rather than into the tendon). It is usually local anaesthetic and steroid. Although it can be a painful procedure, injection can have a good effect. Doctors will generally not want to give more than 3-5 injections in a year, and if your symptoms keep returning, other treatment methods would be suggested.
This is rarely done, but as you are attending the hospital for help, you may have a resistant or 'stubborn' tennis elbow. You may be offered surgery if you have had the problem for over a year, have pain when your arm is resting, and your everyday life is influenced in a significant way by your problem (i.e. unable to work etc.).
The operation is done as a day case. You may have a general anaesthetic, or regional anaesthetic where just your arm is 'put to sleep', you are still awake. The surgeon cuts the skin to find the damaged tendon tissue which is taken out. The healthy tendon tissue left should heal during the next 6-12 weeks. During this time activities to reduce the stress on the tendon (as explained earlier) can be followed. Gradually re-start your activities. You may be sent for physiotherapy following surgery.
The results of this operation can be quite mixed with approximately 30% still having problems on aggressive activities.
If your wound changes in appearance, weeps fluid or pus or you feel unwell with a high temperature, contact your GP.
If you have a query about exercises or movements, contact the Physiotherapy department where you are having treatment if you have already started.
We would like to thank the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, especially Professor Andrew Carr for allowing us to reproduce this information. This has then been modified to suit local patients needs taking into account varying surgery.
One Health Group utilises specialist consultants and healthcare managers working together to provide the best possible diagnosis and treatment for our patients.
