Description...

Tennis elbow is a commonly reported injury characterized by pain or soreness on the outer side of the upper arm near the elbow. Through repetitive use, the tendons that attach the forearm to the elbow bone develop small tears, producing gradually worsening pain that radiates from the outer side of the elbow to the forearm and the back of the hand when grasping or twisting.

This injury is common among people who play tennis and other racquet sports, but it is not exclusive to athletes. Any repetitive motion that engages the wrist in a twisting motion can lead to tennis elbow. Some occupations are at a particularly high risk of tennis elbow: cooks, butchers, construction workers, painters and plumbers, for example. And frequent use of a computer keyboard and mouse can lead to tennis elbow.

Treatment...

If this is the first time you have experienced this pain, you should call your physician and set an appointment to discuss it.

• For two to three weeks, rest from the activity that caused the symptoms.

• Ice the outside of the elbow two to three times per day, using a 20 minutes on/20 minutes off cycle.

• Use a non-steroid, anti-inflammatory medication.

• Wear an iGO Tennis Elbow Brace or an iGO Elastic Elbow Support to take the pressure off the elbow, which will relieve pain and allow the tendons to heal.

• If the activity causing the symptoms is sports-related, changing equipment may help.

 

At-Home Exercises...

Side to Side Exercise:

Hold a one- to two-pound weight (or substitute a can of soup) in your hand, with the thumb pointing up. Move the wrist up and down, much like a hammering motion. All movement should occur at the wrist.

Wrist Bends:

Place your forearm on a flat surface with your wrist hanging off the side, palm down. Bend your hand at the wrist, with fingertips pointing toward the floor. Hold this stretch for five to ten seconds, then slowly lift the hand. Curl your fingers as you gently pull the wrist backward, holding for five to ten seconds. Release. Repeat ten times, then repeat with the opposite arm.

Ball Grip:

Hold a rubber ball, crumpled-up piece of paper or other round, squeezable object in your hand. Spread your fingers wide. Squeeze the ball or object as hard as you can for five seconds, then release. Repeat the exercise ten times, then switch to the opposite hand. Repeat for two additional sets on each hand.