Tennis & Golfers Elbow

Tennis and Golfers Elbow
(Lateral and Medial Epicondylitis)

 

Tennis elbow and Golfers elbow are common injuries associated with an overuse causing pain in either elbow joint and parts of the forearm. These muscles work to move the wrist and fingers. Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a condition of inflammation and degeneration of the extensor tendon at its attachment to the outer elbow. Contraction of the forearm extensors causes tension through the tendon at its attachment to the lateral epicondyle. When this tension builds due to overuse or force, there is risk of damage. Golfers elbow or medial epicondylitis is a condition of inflammation and degeneration of the flexor tendon at its attachment to the inner elbow joint and exhibits similar risk of damage as tennis elbow. These conditions are generally a result of gradual overuse, however they can also result from acute trauma to the area.

 

Signs of lateral or medial epicondylitis

 

Symptoms may present as an ache and aggravating during activity involving these muscles. Tennis & golfers elbow is also painful when touched and can radiate down the forearm. Pain can range in severity and sharpness, depending on the range of activity. Normal daily activity such as turning a door knob can become painful in severe cases, developing a debilitating stiffness in the elbow. A thorough assessment and examination from a myotherapist can confirm diagnosis.

 

Myotherapy Treatment

 

Myotherapy uses a variety of modalities in the treatment & prevention of Tennis Elbow. Applied pressure combined with the movement of the elbow, in addition to simple exercises & stretches which increase strength & flexibility of the affected area are important recovery factors in rehabilitation of the condition. Controlled muscular manipulation of the extensor or flexor muscles is performed in treatment of tennis elbow to increase range of motion, blood flow and free the area to restore normal function. With correct treatment, most acute cases of epicondylitis elbow usually recover within a few weeks. In more chronic cases recovery can take up to a few months. Early myotherapy intervention is therefore vital in speeding up recovery. In severe cases it may be advised to have a cortisone injection into the joint, however your myotherapist will point you in the right direction if this is necessary.

 

Treatment options

 

 

Treatment may involve;

• anti-inflammatory advise if necessary

• trigger point therapy

• dry needling

• joint mobilisation

• stretching and corrective exercises

• patient education

• technique correction