Tennis elbow syndrome (lateral epicondylitis)

TENNIS ELBOW (Lateral epicondylitis) Tennis elbow is a condition caused by overuse of muscles and tendons of forearm (extensors of wrist and fingers) wich leads to wear and tear of those structures and eventually pain in affected elbow. Those muscles and tendons that surrounds the outside part of the elbow are attached on outside bony area (lateral epicondyle) of humerus (upper arm bone), so the condition is often called lateral epicondylitis. Affected population are athletes like tennis players or those who play other sports that include racquet activity, baseball players and bowlers but also people in different professions which require repetitive arm, elbow, wrist, and hand movements like gardeners, landscapers, cleaners, painters, plumbers, cooks, butchers,violinists, guitarists, pianists, typists, bricklayers, shoemakers, dentists, surgeons etc. While tennis elbow affects people of all ages, it's most common in men between the ages of 30 and 50. Symptoms include slowly graduating pain or burning on the outer part of the affected elbow and weak grip strength that is worsened over time. The pain also gets worsened by forearm activity like shaking hand, squeezing, lifting and holding objects (toothbrush, knife or fork, opening jars etc.) Condition can eventually get better without treatment but it is also prone to recurrences. Left untreated in some cases can lead to severe damage to the tendons and muscles and can result in chronic pain. In the early and mild stages usually it is enough to eliminate the cause of disease (mechanical overstressing) followed by rest and avoidance of any activity that causes the pain. Rehabilitation exercises that stretches and strengthen tendons and corresponding muscle are crucial for recovery, flexibility restoration, pain relief and return of strength. If symptoms persist even after 6 - 12 months of conseravative treatment, surgery may be recommended. 90% of patients fully recover with exercise plan, and return to the normal athletic activity after 4-6 months. Prevention: proper equipment and technique in sports and on the job, using of elastic band that wraps around the forearm just below the affected elbow to relieve pain, avoiding of movements that cause the pain, stretching and strengthening forearm muscles.