Tennis Elbow / Lateral Epicondylitis
Patient presents with in the elbow
The pain refers down the back on the forearm
Occurs at rest
The pain occurs during gripping hand movements, particularly on rotation / turning, picking up objects with a grasping action, carrying buckets etc
Side:
Examination:
No visible swelling
Localised tenderness over the lateral epicondyle, anteriorly
Pain on passive stretching wrist
Pain on resisted extension of the wrist and third finger
Normal elbow movement
Reason for visit:
Tennis elbow
Management:
1. Rest from offending activity
2. Rest, ice, compression, elevation and oral NSAIDs
3. stretching and strengthening exercises
Exercises
The dumbbell exercise
Use a dumbbell or similar type of weight such as a bucket of water. Start with 0.5 kg (1 lb) and build up
gradually to 5 kg.
1. Sit in a chair beside a table.
2. Rest your arm on the table so that the wrist is over the edge.
3. With your palm facing downwards, grasp the weight.
4. Slowly raise and lower the weight 12 times. Rest for 1 minute.
5. Repeat twice.
Do the exercise every day until you can play tennis, work or use your forearm without pain.
The towel-wringing exercise
This hurts at first, but usually cures the problem by 6 weeks. Roll up a handtowel and, with your arms straight, grasp the towel, then wring it slowly so that your
wrist is fully bent forwards. Hold for 10 seconds, then reverse the wringing action to extend your wrist; hold for 10 seconds. Gradually increase the time by 5 seconds
until you can hold for 60 seconds. Do this twice a day, twice in each direction. Many people prefer to do this exercise using a large face washer while showering.
Tennis
Do not use a tightly strung, heavy racquet or heavy tennis balls. Keep your strokes smooth and try not to bend the elbow. Start the game quietly, taking time to warm up to it.
Armbands
Some tennis players use a non-stretch band or brace around the arm, about 7.5 cm (3 inches) below the elbow. You might not find it helpful, but it is worth trying. Bands
are available from (some) pharmacists, tennis shops and orthopaedic appliance firms.
The pain refers down the back on the forearm
Occurs at rest
The pain occurs during gripping hand movements, particularly on rotation / turning, picking up objects with a grasping action, carrying buckets etc
Side:
Examination:
No visible swelling
Localised tenderness over the lateral epicondyle, anteriorly
Pain on passive stretching wrist
Pain on resisted extension of the wrist and third finger
Normal elbow movement
Reason for visit:
Tennis elbow
Management:
1. Rest from offending activity
2. Rest, ice, compression, elevation and oral NSAIDs
3. stretching and strengthening exercises
Exercises
The dumbbell exercise
Use a dumbbell or similar type of weight such as a bucket of water. Start with 0.5 kg (1 lb) and build up
gradually to 5 kg.
1. Sit in a chair beside a table.
2. Rest your arm on the table so that the wrist is over the edge.
3. With your palm facing downwards, grasp the weight.
4. Slowly raise and lower the weight 12 times. Rest for 1 minute.
5. Repeat twice.
Do the exercise every day until you can play tennis, work or use your forearm without pain.
The towel-wringing exercise
This hurts at first, but usually cures the problem by 6 weeks. Roll up a handtowel and, with your arms straight, grasp the towel, then wring it slowly so that your
wrist is fully bent forwards. Hold for 10 seconds, then reverse the wringing action to extend your wrist; hold for 10 seconds. Gradually increase the time by 5 seconds
until you can hold for 60 seconds. Do this twice a day, twice in each direction. Many people prefer to do this exercise using a large face washer while showering.
Tennis
Do not use a tightly strung, heavy racquet or heavy tennis balls. Keep your strokes smooth and try not to bend the elbow. Start the game quietly, taking time to warm up to it.
Armbands
Some tennis players use a non-stretch band or brace around the arm, about 7.5 cm (3 inches) below the elbow. You might not find it helpful, but it is worth trying. Bands
are available from (some) pharmacists, tennis shops and orthopaedic appliance firms.
Keywords: Tennis Elbow, Lateral epicondylitis, +tenniselbow
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