Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy

Category

At Dr. Aggarwal Physio Centre, we are providing the best Tennis Elbow Treatment in Noida. Tendinitis is a condition that results in tendons swelling and causes pain in the elbow or arm. These tendons connect your lower arm muscles to the bone with tough tissue. Tennis elbow can still be contracted, despite its name.

Repetitive gripping activities can cause tennis elbow. It is especially true if the thumb and first two fingers are used. For elbow pain, tennis elbow is the most common reason people visit their doctor. Although it can occur in anyone, the most common age for this condition is 40 years old.

Tennis Elbow: Causes

Over time, tennis elbow is a common condition. Repetitive movements, such as gripping the racket while swinging, can strain muscles and cause damage to the tendons. The tissue can become damaged from constant tugging.

You might get tennis elbow from:

Tennis
Racquetball
Squash
Fencing
Weight lifting

Tennis Elbow: What are the symptoms?

Tendinitis is a condition that causes pain and tenderness around the bony knob at the elbow. It is the location where the injured tendon connects to the bone. You may feel the pain radiating into your upper or lower arms. The elbow is the most affected, but you will likely feel pain when using your hands.

The most severe pain from tennis elbow is when you are:

Lift something
Make a fist, or grasp an object such as a tennis racket.
Shake hands or open a door
Straighten your wrist or raise your hand

What is the diagnosis of tennis elbow?

Your physiotherapist will ask you for a detailed pain history. They will also examine your neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and neck. The physiotherapist may ask you to apply pressure to the area or move your fingers, elbows, and wrists in different directions. Most cases can be diagnosed based on a medical history and a physical exam. Your physiotherapist may ask you to order additional tests to confirm or rule out any other conditions that might present with the same symptoms. These tests may include

Ultrascan: This is used to confirm the diagnosis and can also be used to administer injections if necessary.
X-ray: This is a good option. It is more common in cases of elbow arthritis or a history of injury.
MRI scan: This will help your doctor determine if your symptoms are caused by a neck problem, such as a herniated disc or neck arthritis.

Goals of Physiotherapy for Tennis Elbow:

Advanced modalities can improve pain relief.
It reduces inflammation.
Stimulation of the elbow extensors
Manual therapy can be used to correct alignment.
Taping technique
Laser therapy to instantly relieve pain

Management of the Tennis Elbow Physiotherapy

The type of treatment you choose will depend on many factors, including the severity and duration of your symptoms, how they impact daily life, past treatments, and their results.

Tennis elbow can be self-limiting. If your symptoms are not severe, your doctor might recommend conservative management to determine if it improves on its own. However, it may take several weeks or even months before the pain completely disappears. According to some studies, the average time it takes for a typical episode to go away is between six and two years.

The treatment aims to reduce the stress/load on the tendons and the pain and preserve movement and grip strength. There are many treatment options available.

Rest- The physiotherapist recommends avoidance of stimulating activities and heavy work with the affected hand for several weeks. While using computers, a gel wrist pad is beneficial to reduce strain on the tendons.
Ice pack- It can reduce pain and swelling. Applying ice directly on the skin can cause frostbite. Wrap the ice in a towel for as long as you can tolerate it. Repeat this process 3-4 times per day.
Brace for the elbow- A brace or elbow splint can support the arm and reduce stress/movements. It will aid in the healing process. Try to use the brace when you use your arm, and you can remove it at night.
Medications– Some painkillers may provide temporary relief. They can also include anti-inflammatory medicines. These medications should only be used as directed by your doctor only not the physiotherapist.
Physiotherapy– Stretching the forearm and hand muscles is essential to avoid stiffness and improve flexibility. These muscles can be strengthened by physiotherapy. It would help if you only learned exercises under the guidance of a qualified therapist. Once you’ve mastered the technique, you can practice it at home.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)– It creates microtrauma by using energy from sound waves at specific frequencies. This non-invasive treatment involves the application of the wave generator to the skin. While some studies have shown it to be beneficial, others have not. If there are calcium deposits in degenerated tendons, this option may be more appealing.