Do you have elbow pain when lifting? This may be a condition known as tennis elbow!
So you are experiencing some elbow pain when lifting…Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common overuse syndrome that causes elbow pain when lifting. While playing tennis or other racquet sports can lead to this painful condition, many other recreational or work-related activities can also cause tennis elbow. The elbow joint is made up of three bones: the humerus (the upper arm bone) and the radius and ulna (the forearm bones). The lateral epicondyle is located on the outside part of the humerus at the elbow joint, and is an attachment site for many tendons of the forearm muscles. In tennis elbow, the tendons that attach at the lateral epicondyle are inflamed due to overuse, leading to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow joint.
What causes tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is an overuse injury caused by damage to the tendons of the extensor muscles of the forearm that attach to the lateral epicondyle. This damage is a result of repetitive strain leading to microscopic tears in the tendons, causing pain and inflammation. Most commonly, the main muscle affected in tennis elbow is the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), which is important in stabilizing the wrist when the elbow in a straightened position. Activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the extensor muscles of the forearm will put one at risk of getting tennis elbow. For example, playing tennis or other racquet sports with improper technique can increase the chance of getting tennis elbow. In addition, jobs that require repetitive movements of the elbow such as plumbing, carpentry, operating machinery, etc. are risk factors as well.
How do I know that my elbow pain when lifting pain is tennis elbow?
The most prominent symptom of tennis elbow is pain or burning on the outer part of the elbow. This pain can also radiate up into the arm or down into the forearm and fingers. Another common symptom of tennis elbow is weak grip strength and pain when lifting. The symptoms of tennis elbow develop over time, beginning as mild pain and worsening over a span of weeks to months. Tennis elbow is a condition resulting from repetitive overuse; there is no specific injury or incident associated with the onset of symptoms.
What can I do at home tennis elbow pain when lifting?
Forearm stretch: The most commonly affected muscle in tennis elbow is the ECRB. Stretching this muscle improves the flexibility of the affected muscle tendons and eventually decreases the symptoms of tennis elbow. In order to stretch this muscle, the elbow must first be fully extended. Then, the forearm is pronated (rotated so that the palm faces downwards), and the wrist is flexed. Hold the stretch within a tolerable range for a minimum of 30 seconds.
When should I seek physiotherapy?
If your elbow pain when lifting persists, becomes intolerable, or hinders your activities of daily living or work activities, contact us at 416-660-4187 for a free phone consultation to see how a can help to more quickly relieve your elbow pain. Tennis elbow is often condition often worsens without treatment and can result in stopping daily activities which require use of the arm, time off work and discontinuing sports and recreation. The quicker you star an effective “hands on ” manual physiotherapy treatment the quicker you can get back to your activities that you love to do.
