Tennis elbow is one condition that many tennis players end up with after several years of practicing this sport. Still people who do not play tennis at all can also suffer from it. The formal name that is found in medical books is lateral epicondylitis which translates into popular language as the inflammation of the outside elbow bone. Many doctors believe that this condition is rather a problem triggered by middle age than by tennis playing or excessive use of the elbow. So, it seems, there are no specific pieces of evidence to support that tennis is the real cause of this problem. Still, many tennis players complain about it, therefore it has gained the popular name of tennis elbow.

 

If you are not sure as to whether you may have this condition, the symptoms to be identified are as follows. First of all, tennis elbow causes pain in the outer part of the elbow and the appearance of a tender point in the upper part of the elbow bone. Moreover, when performing such actions as wrist turning and object lifting you may feel pain not only in the elbow but also in the wrist. Last but not least, many people who think they experience tennis elbow also complain about having their elbow and wrist stiff in the morning when they wake up.

 

Only a doctor can give a legitimate diagnosis. Radiographies or the MRI might identify your condition as the tennis elbow. Apparently, surgery is not a solution for the problem as the radiographies are not very evidence-wise as to stating whether surgery is definitely needed and likely to be successful. However treatments do exist and they have given results in the case of many tennis elbow patients. Local application of heat or ice is one solution, then, you can always turn to anti-inflammatory drugs or the application of an elbow strap that reduces the pressure on the elbow.

The strap would most likely work as a prevention method as by wearing it you would avoid your elbow receiving even more damage than it has already suffered. Other options would include injecting cortisone locally to reduce the pain, using splints meant to keep your forearm and elbow in one position for two or three weeks, ultrasound that would increase blood circulation in the elbow area, acupuncture and several others.

 

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