Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a condition characterised by pain on the lateral aspect of the elbow.
The extensor muscles of the forearm attach to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus bone through a Common extensor origin. Whenever, they are subjected to trauma or Overuse injury, there can be inflammation of the common origin leading to Lateral epicondylitis.
The prevalence of Tennis elbow in general population is estimated to be around 1-3 % and is common between the age groups of 30-50 years.
Tennis elbow is a misnomer as it is also seen in people from other professions involving overuse of the extensors of forearm like plumbers, carpenters, painters, IT professionals.
Signs and Symptoms
- Stabbing type of pain on the outer aspect of elbow which can radiate to the forearm
- Aggravation of pain on activities like shaking hands, gripping an object or holding a coffee mug.
- Positive Mill’s test and/or Cozen’s test.
Risk Factors
- Age. While tennis elbow affects people of all ages, it's most common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.
- Occupation. People who have jobs that involve repetitive motions of the wrist and arm are more likely to develop tennis elbow. Examples include plumbers, painters, carpenters, butchers and cooks
- Certain sports.Participating in racket sports increases your risk of tennis elbow, especially if you employ poor stroke technique.
JEEVISHA protocol for management of Tennis elbow
- Conservative management: Lifestyle modification with avoiding of activities which are the main culprits play a very important role in its management. Use of Tennis elbow splints/braces to reduce excessive stress on the muscles also proves very helpful. Icing is also generally advised 2-3 times a day to reduce the inflammation.
- Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy plays a very important role in fighting this painful condition. With a team of dedicated physiotherapist, patient is further evaluated and accordingly a plan is prepared for first reducing pain with different modalities and then slowly rehabilitating elbow for normal functioning.
- Medications: In the initial course of the management of this condition, patients may be prescribed some Anti-inflammatory medications. Some other medications may be prescribed depending on the condition of the patient, which is individualized from patient to patient basis.
Targeted treatment
- Ultrasound guided injection
- Ultrasound guided Dextrose prolotherapy
- Ultrasound guided Platelet rich plasma Prolotherapy