Tennis Elbow’s Not Just for Tennis Players
Don’t be fooled by the term “tennis elbow.” Almost anybody — not just tennis players — can suffer from one of the most common injuries among athletes, given the right conditions.
High Risk Population
In orthopedics and sports medicine, tennis elbow refers to the medical condition caused by the overuse of the muscles in the arm, forearm and hand that results in moderate to severe elbow pain. The term comes from the high risks of the condition among tennis players, though less than 5 percent of all diagnoses are actually related to playing tennis.
The common denominator among people diagnosed with tennis elbow: repetitive arm, elbow, wrist and hand movements, especially when tightly gripping something. Thus, athletes like golfers, baseball players, and bowlers (as well as tennis players) are at risk in addition to non-athletes, such as cleaners, landscapers, mechanics, carpenters, and assembly line workers.
Overuse of Muscles
Tennis elbow can be caused by an injury to the tendons and muscles of the forearm attached to the lateral epicondyle, the outside bony area. Medically, this is called lateral epicondylitis (when the injury affects the outside of the elbow) and medial epicondylitis (when the injury affects the inside of the elbow).
The overuse of these muscles can take its toll on the body, as evidenced by the following symptoms:
- Pain around the elbow, which may slowly increase in intensity
- Worsening pain when squeezing objects and shaking hands
- Aggravating pain while moving the wrist or stabilizing it, such as when opening jars or eating with a fork
Fortunately, the majority of people with tennis elbow recover after customized treatment plans provided by Healthpointe doctors. To learn more, visit any Healthpointe clinic near you.
Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including La Mirada by Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, Cerritos, Buena Park, and Santa Fe Springs. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.