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Tennis elbow: not just for tennis tennis elbow (lateral epicondyle tendinosis) is recovery from all but the most severe cases players! a painful condition that rarely presents with of tennis elbow. Unfortunately, most of those Since the creation of modern tennis in 1873, any . This terminology echoes who suffer from the injury do not have the participants have suffered from in and the belief that this injury is degenerative luxury or inclination to rest for long periods around the elbow of their racket arm. The rather than acute. of time. Rest is not an option for those who first documented medical reference to the must use their arms for occupational duties or condition of tennis elbow or “lawn tennis arm” One of the common problems with tennis athletes who may simply refuse to limit their was published in 1883 with recommendations elbow is incorrect diagnosis. This occurs activity. These individuals may benefit from including treating the problem with rest and because at least 43 different of the the use of a tennis elbow strap or counterforce compression bandages fixed just distal to the elbow joint have been documented. Because brace to mute or eliminate the pain associated painful area of the . The situation has the of the injury is seen primarily with tennis elbow. not changed greatly over the past 125 years. at the microscopic level, it is relatively easy to Half of all tennis players will suffer from misclassify tennis elbow in the intact human For the average person who develops a single tennis elbow at some time during their playing arm as , , or one of many other occurrence of tennis elbow the condition careers, and players still employ compression ailments. Proper diagnosis often relies on is self-limited with all symptoms usually wraps to alleviate pain. However, the average knowledge of the patient. The following list of disappearing between 9.6 and 12 months. person who develops tennis elbow is not a characteristics are typical of those most likely One of the mysteries of tennis elbow is that tennis player. Only five per cent of those who to suffer from elbow tendon injuries: while the injury strikes approximately half of suffer from tennis elbow are injured due to •Over 35 years of age the tennis- playing population, 90 per cent of their participation in the sport of tennis. Most •High activity level (athletic or occupational) those who are afflicted eventually report the often the injury results from excessive use of three times or more per week loss of all related symptoms and associated such tools as a hammer or screwdriver. •30 minutes or more per session pain sometime after their 50th birthdays. •Demanding activity technique What is tennis elbow? •Poor fitness level Nearly all patients who have for severe Research into the etiology of tennis elbow tennis elbow improve, and more than 85 per has revealed that it is primarily an overuse Typical treatments and prognosis cent of these individuals return to their pre- injury that results in micro tears of the hyaline Tennis elbow can be placed into one of two injury levels of activity. region of the extensor muscles that attach categories: those that respond to conservative Prevention on the lateral side of the forearm. However, treatment and those that resist conservative Using proper biomechanics and suitable pain localized on the medial side of the treatment and indicate a need for surgical equipment for the size and skill of the elbow is also possible. The actual diagnosis intervention. Conservative treatments include individual may be the best strategy for of tennis elbow is often incorrect because it is rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, preventing tennis elbow. In general, a neutral termed tendonitis. This expression has been , and steroidal injections. In position should be maintained during disputed by elbow injury experts, who note most cases, the single best treatment for lateral the activity. This can be achieved by a tennis that tendonitis implies inflammation of the epicondyle tendinosis is rest. Giving the body player through the selection of the correct grip affected region. The most common form of time to heal will usually provide complete size and expert consultation relative to proper gripping technique. The use of a two-handed Summary About the Authors backhand stroke greatly reduces the stress Tennis elbow is a significant problem Written for the American College of Sports Medicine by Jeffrey A. Bauer, Ph.D. and Mark Tillman, Ph.D. on the elbow and will reduce the likelihood that can prevent people from performing Suggested Citation: Bauer, J. and Tillman, M. Tennis Elbow. of injury. Strengthening and stretching are athletically and occupationally. Improvements Indianapolis, IN: American College of Sports Medicine; 2017. also advantageous and can be prescribed in equipment, technique, strength and ACSM Sports Medicine Basics are official statements by the American College of Sports Medicine concerning topics of interest by a health care professional. The intensity conditioning all help to reduce the likelihood to the public at large. of activity is also important. New activities of injury, but lateral epicondyle tendinosis is ACSM grants permission to reproduce this fact sheet if it is should be started slowly and the intensity an overuse injury that will continue to strike reproduced in its entirety without alteration. The text may be reproduced in another publication if it is used in its entirety without should be increased slowly. If elbow pain is active individuals. Fortunately, the prognosis alteration and the following statement is added: Reprinted with experienced, the activity should be suspended. for recovery is very good once the condition is permission of the American College of Sports Medicine. Copyright ©2017 American College of Sports Medicine. Visit ACSM online properly diagnosed and treated. at www.acsm.org.