Everything You Need to Know About Tennis Elbow

The name "tennis elbow" can be a bit misleading. Tennis players are not the only ones who commonly suffer from this condition. People whose jobs require them to use tennis-like swinging motions are also susceptible to developing symptoms. These job types can include plumbers, painters, carpenters, and butchers. Tennis elbow is a condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overused. This often occurs from overusing the forearm muscles and tendons, as well as those around the elbow joint. Causes of tennis elbow may include:

• Tennis
• Weightlifting
• Carpentry
• Typing
• Painting
• Knitting

The symptoms of tennis elbow can include pain and tenderness in the knob on the outside of your elbow. This is where the inflamed tendons connect to the bone. Pain may radiate into the surrounding areas such as the lower or upper arm and the wrist. Pain in these areas may occur when you lift or bend your arm or when gripping small objects.

There is an easy at-home test you can do to see if you are experiencing tennis elbow. Stand behind a chair and place your hands on the top of the chair while gripping it. Now, try to lift it up. If the action of lifting the chair causes pain on your outer elbow, this may be a sign of tennis elbow.

The first steps in treating tennis elbow are to reduce inflammation and rest the irritated muscles and tendons. Ice and compression may help with this. When rest, ice, elevation are helping your problem and pain an inflammation are becoming a chronic problem, it may be time to seek help.

At McLean County Orthopedics, we are experts in orthopedic care and have extensive experience treating wrist and elbow injuries. Don't let chronic pain keep you from living the life you love. If you are experiencing pain during or after using your forearm muscles, give us a call (309) 663-6461 and schedule an appointment today with a specialist who can offer expert diagnoses, care, and treatment so you can be your best self.