You should seek medical care immediately if you feel pain or discomfort in your elbow, forearm or wrist. It may be diagnosed as lateral epicondylitis, commonly called tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is a repetitive motion injury that affects the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. It is often mistaken for golfer’s elbow, which affects the tendons on the innermost side of the joint. The tendons become overworked and inflamed with either condition, leading to severe pain.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms
The most notable sign of tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is severe pain on the outer side of the elbow that may spread to the forearm and wrist. It usually only affects the elbow of your dominant side. For example, if you are right-handed, it would affect your right elbow because you use that hand and arm most often. However, depending on what repetitive motions cause the injury, it may affect both elbows.
Common Causes
Many people who develop tennis elbow are athletes or enjoy sports leisurely. Tennis is one of the most common causes, hence its name, but bowling, baseball, archery and rock climbing are also sports with a risk of lateral epicondylitis. Your job may also put you at risk of developing tennis elbow. Auto mechanics, painters, cooks and those who use computers for most of the day are especially prone to the condition.
Other Risk Factors
Sports and occupations are not the only risk factors for lateral epicondylitis. Most people who develop tennis elbow are between the ages of 30 and 50, so age may play a role. Having other conditions that affect tendons or the joints dramatically increases risk. These could include carpal tunnel syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis or a rotator cuff injury. Long-term oral corticosteroid use may contribute to the risk of developing the condition.
Tennis elbow can be extremely painful. If rest and over-the-counter pain meds are ineffective, it’s time to see a specialist. The experienced orthopedic providers at Ortho Sport & Spine Physicians are ready to help, so call one of our conveniently located clinics today to schedule your appointment.
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