Specialised treatment for tennis elbow
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury that causes inflammation of the tendons that attach to the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow.
It is a painful condition occurring from repeated muscle contractions in the forearm that leads to inflammation and microtears in the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle. The lateral epicondyle is the bony prominence that is felt on the outside of the elbow and the condition is more common in sports individuals playing tennis.
tennis elbow frequently asked questions
What are the signs and symptoms of tennis elbow?
Patients with tennis elbow experience certain symptoms and they include:
- Elbow pain that gradually worsens
- Pain to the outside of the elbow that radiates to the forearm and wrist with grasping objects
- Weak grip
- Painful grip
- Pain is exacerbated in the elbow when the wrist is bent back
What are the causes of tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is usually caused by overuse of the forearm muscles but may also be caused by direct trauma such as with a fall, car accident, or work injury. Tennis elbow is commonly seen in tennis players, hence the name, especially when poor technique is used when hitting the ball with a backhand stroke. Other common causes include any activity that requires repetitive motion of the forearm such as:
- Painting
- Hammering
- Typing
- Raking
- Weaving
- Gardening
- Lifting heavy objects
- Playing musical instruments
How is tennis elbow diagnosed?
Your physician will evaluate tennis elbow by:
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Diagnostic procedures such as X-rays
What are treatment options for tennis elbow?
Your physician will recommend conservative treatment options to treat the tennis elbow symptoms. These may include:
- Limit use and rest the arm from activities that worsen symptoms.
- Splints or braces may be ordered to decrease stress on the injured tissues
- Ice packs to the elbow for swelling
- Avoid activities that tend to bring on the symptoms and increase stress on the tendons
- Anti-inflammatory medications and/or steroid injections to treat pain and swelling may be ordered.
- Occupational Therapy may be ordered for strengthening and stretching exercises to the forearm once your symptoms have decreased
- Pulsed Ultrasound may be utilized to increase blood flow and healing to the injured tendons.
If conservative treatment options fail to resolve the condition and symptoms persist for 6 -12 months, your surgeon may recommend you undergo a surgical procedure to treat Tennis Elbow called lateral epicondyle release surgery. Your surgeon will decide whether to perform your surgery in the traditional manner or endoscopically. Traditional surgery involves up to a 2″ incision in the elbow area, whereas arthroscopic surgery involves one or two smaller incisions and the use of an arthroscope with a camera for viewing internal structures.
The television camera attached to the endoscope displays the image of the joint on a television screen, allowing the surgeon to look throughout the elbow joint at cartilage, ligaments, nerves and bone.
Hand elbow & wrist treatments
Carpal Tunnel Release
Carpal tunnel release is a surgery performed to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. It aims to relieve symptoms by decreasing pressure on the median nerve. The median nerve provides nerve signals to the thumb and sensation to the palm side of
Elbow Arthroscopy
Elbow arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgery performed using a tiny device called arthroscope. The elbow is the joint that connects the upper arm bone and the forearm bones. Elbow joint helps in movement of the arms forward, backward, as
Wrist Reconstruction Surgery
‘Wrist reconstruction’ can refer to a number of surgical procedures, including wrist ligament reconstruction, tendon transfer, wrist joint fusion, and any combination of these. Most commonly, it refers to a wrist joint replacement surgery. Due to the versatility of its
Why Orthopaedics SA?
Comprehensive care
From arthritis to sports injuries, we treat a full spectrum of bone and joint conditions to keep you moving.
Expert surgeons
Our highly trained doctors have years of experience delivering precise and effective treatments.
SA’s largest practice
With 23 specialists, we offer unmatched expertise and evidence-based care for every patient.
Multiple locations
We have multiple clinics across South Australia, making it simple to find expert care nearby.
Patient-centric approach
We prioritise understanding your condition to ensure every treatment recommendation feels right for you.
Reliable support
Our team of nurses and administrative staff works behind the scenes to make your experience smooth and stress-free.
Meet our doctors
Our surgeons are highly qualified to offer personalised treatments tailored to your needs. We take the time to listen, explain your options, and ensure every decision is made with your well-being in mind.
We take responsibility for our patient’s experience
From your initial consultation to follow-up care, our team will guide you through every step of your treatment. Your specialist will provide a detailed recovery plan, including physical therapy to restore function and prevent future injuries.