Now before you pass over this article thinking that your only interaction with tennis is watching the Australian Open from your lounge chair and you need not bother, stop and have a read, it can happen to anyone.
Tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis if you don’t mind the mouthful) is an injury to the tissue on the back of your forearm where your tendons attach to the bone. Tennis elbow develops when the tissue that forms your extensor tendons cannot match the demand you are placing on them. Common causes include overuse through a new or increased amount of hand activity, excessive gripping and poor technique with hand actions.
In the initial stages of the injury inflammation will be present, bringing with it pain and swelling. Now would be a good time to give your sore elbow a chance to settle down. My advice is rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medication if your health permits. If you’re able to, identify what is causing your elbow pain and correct the problem. If you need some help with this, swing by the clinic and we’ll gladly help.
Now I understand simply stopping and resting isn’t practical for everyone, life must go on right? If you’re in this category and you find that your tennis elbow is lingering, the longer you leave it, the longer it will take to heal. Chronic tennis elbow is characterised by the addition of tissue degeneration which is usually starting to take place by the 6-week mark. What this means is that once your tennis elbow has progressed to a chronic condition, a regime of specific strengthening exercises will be required to get you back to full function.
What I’m saying is act sooner rather than later for the best results, but if you have let it go by the wayside, all is not lost, come in and speak to us at PhysioHealth Corrimal and we’ll set you on the right path.
