Overview
- Understanding Tennis Elbow – A Common Problem
- Types of Elbow Injuries
- Causes and Risk Factors
- Symptoms and Diagnosis
- Conservative Treatments
- Steroid Injections: The Debate
- New and Emerging Treatment Options
Understanding Tennis Elbow – A Common Problem
Tennis elbow, medically called lateral epicondylitis, is one of the most common causes of elbow pain. This condition occurs when the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow become irritated or weakened, usually from repetitive motions. Despite its name, you don’t have to play tennis to get tennis elbow – any activity that involves frequent gripping, lifting, twisting, or typing can put stress on these tendons. Everyday tasks such as carrying groceries, shaking hands, or using a computer mouse can trigger pain. Braces and straps that stabilize the elbow are often recommended as an early treatment to reduce strain and provide support.
Types of Elbow Injuries
While tennis elbow is the most recognized condition, other injuries such as golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) also affect the tendons around the elbow. Tennis elbow involves pain on the outside of the joint, whereas golfer’s elbow causes discomfort on the inside. Both are forms of tendonitis, resulting from overuse and inflammation of the tendons. Patients may benefit from elbow braces, wrist splints, or compression straps, which provide targeted support and distribute pressure away from the injured tendons. These supports allow many people to continue daily activities with less pain and help promote recovery.
Causes and Risk Factors
The main cause of tennis elbow is repetitive stress on the tendons and forearm muscles, which can lead to microtears, inflammation, or degeneration (tendinosis). Risk factors include frequent use of the hands and wrists for work or sport, weak forearm muscles, poor posture, and skipping warm-ups or stretching. While athletes such as tennis players and golfers are at higher risk, office workers, laborers, and musicians are also commonly affected. Both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are examples of overuse injuries that can develop gradually with time. Bracing, strengthening, and ergonomic adjustments are key steps in prevention and recovery.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Patients with tennis elbow typically report pain on the outside of the elbow that may radiate down the forearm or upward toward the shoulder. Pain often worsens with gripping, twisting, or lifting, and can make simple tasks, like picking up a coffee cup, uncomfortable. Other symptoms include stiffness, swelling, or weakness in grip strength. Diagnosis usually involves a physical examination and review of activity history. Imaging studies such as X-rays or MRI scans may be used to rule out other conditions and confirm tendon involvement.
Conservative Treatments
Most people with tennis elbow improve without surgery. Recovery can take several months, and patience is important. The cornerstone of care is bracing, often with two types of supports:
- A wrist brace, worn at night or during flare-ups, helps limit strain.
- A tennis elbow strap (counterforce brace), worn during activities like yardwork, workouts, or lifting, reduces tension on the affected tendons.
Other helpful treatments include occupational therapy, home stretching programs, ice and anti-inflammatory medications, and ergonomic adjustments at work. Correct wrist positioning while typing or lifting can significantly speed recovery.
Steroid Injections: The Debate
Steroid injections were once a common treatment for tennis elbow. However, research shows that while injections may provide short-term pain relief, they do not improve long-term outcomes and may even delay healing. For this reason, many orthopedic specialists have reduced their use of steroid injections over the past decade.
New and Emerging Treatment Options
Innovative therapies are providing new hope for patients with persistent tennis elbow:
Advanced Physical Therapy
- Techniques such as shockwave therapy stimulate healing in the tendon tissue. Combined with strengthening and stretching exercises, therapy plays a vital role in recovery.
Bracing and Compression Wear
- Updated brace designs, including adjustable straps and wrist splints, provide improved comfort and fit. These devices reduce stress on the tendons and allow patients to remain active while healing.
Surgical Treatment
In rare cases where conservative and new treatments fail, surgery may be considered. Procedures typically involve removing damaged tendon tissue and stimulating healing. However, fewer than 10% of patients require surgery, as most recover with nonoperative care.
Expert Orthopedic Care for Tennis Elbow
At OrthoTexas, our orthopedic specialists, including Dr. Mitchell Fagelman, treat hundreds of patients with tennis elbow each year. From braces and therapy to cutting-edge injections, we offer the latest non-surgical and surgical solutions tailored to each patient. With the right treatment plan, most people can expect to return to normal activities with improved comfort and function.
Your path to recovery starts here. Schedule an appointment with our specialized orthopedic surgeons today. Book your appointment online or call (972) 492-1334
