[ Diagnosis of Tennis Elbow ]
It can be diagnosed by checking the joint for abnormalities with X-rays, or by viewing the lesion in the tendon directly with ultrasound.
Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of tennis elbow.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is pain related to the tendon attached to the outer part of the elbow. Tendons connect muscles to bones. When you straighten your fingers or lift your wrist, the tendons that run up to the elbow are affected, and the tendon attachment becomes painful.
- The most common cause of elbow pain
- Pain on the outer side of the elbow is called tennis elbow; pain on the inner side is called golfer's elbow
- Named because it often affects athletes such as tennis players and golfers
- Common not only in athletes but also in homemakers who use their hands a lot
- Heavy use of the hands causes elbow pain through the tendons that run up the arm
In most cases, overuse of the wrist joint affects the elbow through the tendons and causes pain.
Overuse of the wrist
Athletes and people who play sports that use the wrist heavily
People who use their wrists a lot, such as homemakers and cooks (chopping, washing dishes)
Repeated injury to or overuse of the elbow
Pain gradually develops, starting from the outer part of the elbow
Elbow pain worsens when gripping or lifting heavy objects
As it worsens, any movement that uses the elbow becomes painful
Night pain can disturb sleep
The pain can be bad enough to interfere with daily activities such as washing your face or eating
It can be diagnosed by checking the joint for abnormalities with X-rays, or by viewing the lesion in the tendon directly with ultrasound.
Most cases improve with extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), injections, medication or bracing. However, if symptoms persist after about 6 months of conservative treatment and rest, the lesion can be treated with arthroscopic surgery, which allows more precise observation during treatment.
