What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis Elbow, also known as Lateral Epicondylalgia, is a condition that affects where the tendons responsible for extending your wrist attach to the elbow. It is categorised as mild, moderate or severe which often determines how long it will take to get better. Its main symptom is pain on the outside of the elbow that is worse with certain activities such as typing, lifting and using tools. Most of the time, tennis elbow affects the dominant arm.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms:
The most common things that people feel with Tennis Elbow are:
- Pain in the outside of the elbow that is worse with activities that involve extending the wrist
- Reduced strength in the arm and hand
- Difficulty completing tasks at work or at home
How is Tennis Elbow Assessed?
Your Hand Therapist will ask you about your symptoms, including when it is aggravated and how it impacts you day to day. Then, your hand therapist will perform an examination to diagnose your tennis elbow. These include:
- Looking at your elbow, arm and hand
- Palpating the elbow
- Assessing the movement and strength of your elbow, wrist and hand
- Performing special tests that are designed to replicate your symptoms that are specific for tennis elbow
How do we treat Tennis Elbow?
A recent UK study have shown that there is little consensus on the best treatment for Tennis Elbow. At Corio Bay Hand Therapy, we regularly look into the most up-to-date evidence to ensure we are giving you the best options to help your Tennis Elbow. Our Hand Therapists are very successful in helping people reduce their pain and increase their ability to participate in the activities they want to. We work closely with you to make a plan for recovery that will fit in with your life, based on the most up-to-date research, this includes:
- Load management techniques and education
- Exercises to strengthen the injured tendons
- Return to work planning
- Advice and equipment to support day to day activities