Tennis Elbow
Although it often occurs in athletes engaged in racket sports, the disease can occur in anyone who does repetitive and challenging work with the wrist. Tennis elbow can be seen in all occupational groups who perform compelling wrist movements for more than 2 hours a day. Tennis elbow occurs frequently, especially in painters, plumbers, carpenters, and even housewives who do intensive housework. Its common age range is between the ages of 30-50.What are the signs of tennis elbow?
The most important finding of tennis elbow is the pain on the bony protrusion at the outer edge of your elbow and radiating towards the forearm. Usually, the pain increases by lifting the wrist back against the resistance. The most typical example of this is the pain felt in the elbow and extending to the wrist when lifting a heavy jug or kettle. There may be weakness in the arm muscles along with the pain. The event can begin after a single compulsive action or 24-72 hours after a long-lasting strenuous activity. The pain was of low intensity at first, and if strenuous activities continued, it gradually worsened over weeks to months. In advanced situations, even shaking hands or turning the doorknob can be very painful.
What are the risk factors for tennis players?
The most important risk factor for tennis players is bad backhand technique. In addition, the small sweet spot of the racket, excessive string tension and not using anti-vibration parts increase the risk. The handle of the racket (grip) is small for the size of the hand, and playing with heavy and wet balls can lead to tennis elbow. Excessively strenuous training and competition periods also increase the risk of injury. Some studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of tennis elbow. In order to avoid tennis elbow, you should definitely warm up well and do stretching exercises before sports. You should use a racket with proper tension and correct your backhand technique. Your arm muscles should be strong enough and you should apply ice after strenuous activities.
How is tennis elbow diagnosed?
Your orthopedic doctor first evaluates the history of the disease, the mode of occurrence and your sports habits, if any. After examining you, he or she may request X-rays of the elbow in order to distinguish between other underlying diseases. These are usually sufficient for diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging and nerve conduction velocity studies (EMG) may be necessary in very rare cases to differentiate other diseases. If you have a rheumatic disease or neck hernia, you should tell your doctor.
How is tennis elbow treatment?
If your complaints are not too severe, the disease can be calmed by methods such as rest, ice application, and interruption to sports. It will be sufficient for those who practice racket sports to use the forearm instead of the wrist during the backhand, to warm up well and to make appropriate changes in their rackets. Appropriate exercise and stretching programs that your doctor will recommend may be beneficial with the help of a medical trainer. There are dozens of different bands and elbow pads developed for the treatment of tennis elbow. Their common goal is to reduce the load on the damaged area. These are used while using your arm or during sports and should be removed during rest. The tapes should not be applied to the painful area, but to the point indicated by your doctor, approximately 10 cm from the elbow.