Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is characterized by pain on the outer/lateral side of the elbow joint, often caused by repetitive twisting or swinging motions.
Causes
Playing racket sports, especially with poor backhand technique
Engaging in activities like screw-driving or cutting meat
Prolonged use of a computer mouse
Symptoms
Tennis elbow pain can extend from the outside of the elbow into the forearm and wrist, leading to difficulties with tasks such as shaking hands, turning doorknobs, or holding objects like a coffee cup.
Risk Factors
Regularly lifting heavy weights (more than 22 kilograms)
Age over 40
Obesity
Athletes in sports such as tennis, softball, bowling, or weightlifting, as well as individuals with professions like painting, music, carpentry, or plumbing, are at higher risk.
Assessment Findings
A comprehensive assessment is crucial for accurate treatment planning and recovery.
Subjective Assessment
Pain onset 24-72 hours after activities involving wrist extension
Radiating pain down forearm to wrist and hand
Difficulty with lifting and gripping
Objective Assessment
Tenderness over lateral epicondyle or just below it
Pain and weakness during resisted wrist extension
Grip strength weakness.
Diagnosis
Physical Examination
Special Tests:
Cozen’s Test
Mill's Test
Management
Conservative Management
Ice application.
Avoidance of repetitive hand, wrist, and elbow activities
Acupuncture
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine offer an effective approach to restoring proper circulation to affected tissues, promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and alleviating pain and swelling in the elbow and forearm region.
Tennis elbow treatment benefits from a holistic approach that includes assessment, conservative management, and the integration of acupuncture for comprehensive and effective recovery.
Take care of yourself!
Violaine
References:
Zhou Y, Chen C, Yang Y, Yu H, Yang Z. Acupuncture therapy for tennis elbow: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Feb 5;100(5):e24402. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000024402. PMID: 33592887; PMCID: PMC7870184.
Brattberg G. Acupuncture therapy for tennis elbow. Pain. 1983 Jul;16(3):285-288. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(83)90116-1. PMID: 6888954.
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