Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
What is it?
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) is a painful condition that occurs due to overuse or degeneration of the tendons that attach to lateral epicondyle, the bump on the outside of the elbow. Clearly playing tennis or other sports that use that same motion of the elbow can cause tennis elbow.
Symptoms
Symptoms tend to develop over time and very gradual as this is due to a repetitive trauma or simply aging. In most cases, it will begin slowly and progress to more severe pain and there is usually no one specific cause that starts the symptoms. You may feel tenderness over the outside of the elbow and is often made worse by bending at the wrist.
Treatment
Tennis elbow often gets better on its own over time. But, over-the-counter medications for pain as well as resting the affecting joint will help reduce the symptoms. You may need an arm or wrist splint, physical therapy, steroid injections, ice or prescription anti-inflammatory medications to help as well. Some cases may require surgery, but only if the conservative treatments prove to be ineffective.
If you are experiencing Elbow pain, weakness of the Elbow, stiffness of the Elbow or night time Elbow pain, give us a call 972-250-5700 or make an appointment now.