Tennis Elbow
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) Specialist
Are you an athlete who participates in tennis, racquet sports or activities requiring repetitive motions? If so, you are at an elevated risk of developing tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is characterized by small tears in the tendon from continuous overuse of the arm and forearm muscles, leading to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow specialist, Dr. Nikhil Verma provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Chicago who have symptoms of tennis elbow. Contact Dr. Verma’s team today!
An Overview on Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow, otherwise known as lateral epicondylitis, is an elbow injury caused by overuse of the tendons that attach to the bone on the outside of the joint. The condition is characterized by small tears in the tendon from continuous overuse of the arm and forearm muscles, leading to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow. Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois area elbow specialist, Dr. Nikhil Verma can assist patients with how to treat tennis elbow and answer the common question, “What is tennis elbow?”
Athletes who participate in tennis, racquet sports and other similar activities including repetitive work activities are at an elevated risk of developing tennis elbow. The repetitive arm and forearm movements are the most common cause of this injury, but it may also occur from a work injury, fall or automobile accident. Workers involved in painting, plumbing, gardening or cooking are more prone to this injury than workers in other fields.
Athletes and other active individuals can reduce the risk of this injury by decreasing play intensity, using the right technique and equipment and performing strengthening exercises designed for the elbow area.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is marked by pain on the outside of the elbow. In many cases, the pain radiates to the forearm and wrist area making grasping items, shaking hands or carrying items such as a purse or briefcase difficult. Patients may also experience a weak or painful grip.
Diagnosis of Tennis Elbow
Dr. Verma will perform a thorough consultation, including a medical review and physical examination, in order to diagnose tennis elbow. During the consultation, he will answer any questions a patient has such as, “What is tennis elbow?” He will ask questions about the onset of symptoms, recent elbow injuries and daily activities that involve the joint. During the physical examination, he will use a variety of tests to determine pain level and grip strength. Most commonly, tennis elbow is diagnosed by pain with palpation directly over the area of the lateral epicondyle. Dr. Verma may recommend a series of X-rays and an MRI to rule out any bone injuries or associated elbow injuries.
Treatment of Tennis Elbow
How to treat tennis elbow is determined by the extent of injury, patient’s activity level and patient’s age. The majority of patients have success with non-surgical measures.
Non-Surgical
The RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) method is the most common first treatment prescribed by Dr. Verma. If overuse is the cause of injury, the combination of these items will alleviate the pain and other troublesome symptoms. Physical therapy to strengthen the elbow area and a brace may also be recommended. Finally, injections are commonly used to decrease inflammation and facilitate tendon healing.
Surgical
If tennis elbow symptoms do not respond to non-surgical measures or if the condition is left untreated for too long, a surgical approach may be recommended by Dr. Verma. Typically, an elbow surgery to repair the torn tendons is performed arthroscopically. Arthroscopic surgery is less invasive and involves one or two small incisions and the use of small surgical instruments and a camera to repair damage. Patients can expect a quicker recovery time and less pain with an arthroscopic method in most cases.
To learn more about tennis elbow treatment, please contact the orthopedic office of Dr. Nikhil Verma, elbow specialist treating patients in the Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois communities.
