Tennis elbow is also known as lateral epicondylitis which is a condition where the outer area of the elbow becomes tender and sore. People playing racquet sports such as squash and tennis are usually affected by this condition, but other people can also be afflicted by this condition due to overuse of a particular part of the elbow and happens when the tendons that are attached to the outer part of the elbow becomes inflamed. These tendons function in helping the wrist move backwards.
Tennis elbow involves the deterioration of the tendons due to repetitive use. The most common symptoms of tennis elbow are swelling and pain around the outer part of the elbow.
Some common symptoms of tennis elbow
- Elbow pain that becomes severe while grasping an object and by cocking the wrist in the backward direction.
- Pain in the outer part of the elbow
- There is pain in the affected area when lifting an object
- The outer part of the elbow is tender and inflamed
- Pain in the wrist while grasping an object
- Stiffness of the elbow in the morning
- The wrist becomes weak
- Pain that spreads into the forearms
Common causes
- A small or inadequate grip of the racquet
- Playing using a racquet that has very tight strings
- A bad backhand technique when playing tennis
- Playing racquet sports using heavy and wet balls
- Performing manual jobs that use the elbow such as painting, typing, carpentry, gardening and plumbing.
Treatment and home remedies
- Get plenty of rest, especially the affected elbow.
- Apply a cold compress or ice pack on the affected elbow at least 20 minutes for 6 times everyday
- Alternately applying hot and cold compress since this helps in relieving the swelling and pain caused by tennis elbow.
- Use a supportive strap in order to help in minimizing the strain placed on the affected tendons.
- Apply a ginger poultice since this is also known to help with tennis elbow. Another way is drinking ginger tea at least three times every day. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that helps lessen the symptoms of tennis elbow.
- Bake a potato and wrapped in a cloth and apply over the affected elbow. This helps in reducing the pain and swelling.
- The individual should include celery in his/her diet since fresh celery juice and extracts helps promote the healing process. Consume a glass of warm water that includes 8-10 drops of celery extract. This helps in minimizing the inflammation and pain caused by tennis elbow.
- Perform gentle exercises in order to help with the rehabilitation of the affected elbow joints. The exercises for the tennis elbow include mild wrist extensions, rotations and flexes.
- Once the pain and inflammation is minimized, continue performing the stretching exercises and strengthening activities to help in the healing of the condition and always observe correct playing techniques while playing sports in order to prevent recurrence of tennis elbow.
FACT CHECK
https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/tennis-elbow-lateral-epicondylitis#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tennis-elbow/symptoms-causes/syc-20351987
https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/tennis-elbow-lateral-epicondylitis/