Understanding Tennis Elbow: A Guide to Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy

Understanding What It Means to Have Tennis Elbow

Tendinopathy is a condition that affects your tendons, the strong tissues that connect your muscles to your bones - tendinopathy typically occurs due to chronic overuse, repetitive strain, or acute injury to a tendon. Tendinopathy can affect any tendon but is most commonly seen in areas subjected to repetitive stress, such as the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, rotator cuff tendons, and lateral epicondyle (tennis elbow). Tennis elbow is the leading cause of pain on the outside of the elbow and affects the extensor tendons where they attach to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. This condition typically presents with pain on the outer part of the elbow, which tends to worsen with activities such as gripping, twisting, lifting, or extending the wrist. The term “tennis elbow” is synonymous with lateral elbow tendinopathy, and originates from the repetitive strain placed on the forearm tendons during movements like gripping and wrist extension, which are frequent in tennis. However, the majority of cases occur in the general population and are often related to occupational or daily activities.

Effective management of tendinopathy typically includes a combination of load management, targeted rehabilitative exercises to promote collagen synthesis and tendon remodeling, soft tissue therapies, and patient education. Adjunct treatments such as acupuncture, shockwave therapy, kinesio-taping or bracing may be recommended. Early and appropriate intervention is crucial to restore tendon health, and alleviate pain. With proper care, most cases of tennis elbow can be effectively managed - If you’re dealing with tendon pain, consulting a chiropractor or healthcare professional can help you get a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Book now for your assessment.