The elbow joint is made up the humerus, ulna, and radius. Together these long bones form a hinge joint which allows the elbow to rotate, flex and extend. The lateral or outer portion of the elbow is called the lateral epicondyle which originates from the humerus. Tendons attach at this point and can be injured. One of the many injuries that can occur is tennis elbow.
Causes
Tennis elbow is characterized as soreness, pain, and inflammation that is located on the lateral or outer side of the elbow. It is caused by an overuse injury by repeatedly using the wrist and forearms muscles of the involved arm. The repeated stress may cause inflammation, soreness, pain, and in extreme cases tiny microscopic tears in the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the bone. Typical motions that can cause tennis elbow include tennis, painting, plumbing, postural problems, and overall poor technique with activities that require a backhand stroke.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can diagnose and treat tennis elbow. He/She will evaluate the biomechanics of the upper arm, elbow, and wrist, range of motion, strength of surrounding muscles and any postural problems. Treatments may include manual therapy to promote an increase in painfree range of motion, stretching to lengthen any tight musculature of the upper extremity, modalities to promote healing and possible technical changes to specific sport or work related activates that are causing postural problems. A physical therapist will put you through a stretching and strengthening exercise program to eliminate the pain felt by the elbow and return you to your normal everyday lifestyle without pain as quickly as possible. Your Joint Ventures physical therapist can perform all of these treatments to assist in the recovery of tennis elbow.