Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylalgia) and Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylalgia)

Symptoms

Subtle onset of pain especially after repetitive use/overuse or unaccustomed activity
Tender to touch outer part of elbow (tennis elbow)
Tender to touch inner part of elbow (golfer’s elbow)
Painful to grip, turning taps/tools/screwing unscrewing jars

Causes

• Tennis and Golfer’s elbow can be classified as overuse of injuries
• Tennis elbow is a more common injury than golfer’s elbow but are similar in nature
• It results from a repetitive stress or loading of the muscles of the forearm which can lead to micro tears in the tendons that attach to the elbow

Contributing Factors

• Muscle imbalances
  • Reduced strength in forearm muscles (extensors - muscles that bend wrist backward, flexors – muscles that bend wrist forward)
  • Weak forearm muscles are prone to fatigue which alters mechanics at elbow and wrist and places additional strain on the tendons (poor stability)
• Incorrect training technique
  • Training at intense levels or overtraining or training too fast too soon can lead to strain in muscles and injury to tendons, ligaments, bones and joints.
•   Repetitive activities
  • Gardening, use of tools, painting, racquet/club sports, incorrect use of keyboard and mouse
•     Grip Factors
  • Gripping too tightly
  • Size and weight of instrument gripped (tennis racquet, golf club, screw driver/tools)
  • Gripping and task technique (tennis/golf swing)

Treatment

•     RICE - Rest Ice Compression Elevation
•     Anti-inflammatory medication
•     Electrotherapeutic modalities (ultrasound, interferential)
•     Ice massage
•     Acupuncture
•     Support devices – tennis elbow straps, bracing
•     Taping/strapping
•     Strengthening program and stretching routine as advised by your physiotherapist

Mon - Thurs 7am to 7pm
Fri 7am to 6pm
Sat - 7am to 1pm

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