Tennis elbow

Overview

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis or lateral elbow tendinopathy, occurs when the tendon that connects the muscle to the bone of your forearm has a tear due to repetitive movements of the arm and wrist. This condition is painful which sometimes extends to the forearm and wrist, and does not only affect athletes but also workers who regularly use their elbow or forearm.

Symptoms

The following are the symptoms of tennis elbow. You may experience weakness or pain during:

• Twisting the doorknob
• Holding a glass or cup
• Handshaking
• Holding or gripping anything

If you have already tried taking over-the-counter medicine for pain relief, cold compression and had taken enough rest but the pain does not subside, it is recommended to see the doctor.

Risk factors

People who are more at risk of developing tennis elbow are the following:

• Most common in adults between 30 to 50 years old
• Workers who use their elbow, arms and wrist in a repetitive manner (e.g. musicians, butchers, carpenters, plumbers, painters, gardeners, etc.).
• Athletes or sports enthusiasts who play sports which involves using a racket or sports gear using the hand. Poor handling and movement creates more risk.