TENNIS ELBOW

Tennis elbow affects a group of muscles and tendons in the forearm that attach to the bone on the outside of the elbow, causing pain in that area. Also known as lateral epicondylitis or lateral elbow tendinopathy, the orthopedic team at Southern Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can provide treatment for tennis elbow in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina so that you can get back on the court and back to your other active hobbies!

This condition is caused by repetitive stress on the muscles and tendons that are connected to the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outside of the elbow. The common extensor tendon, which straightens the fingers and pulls the wrist back, connects the humerus bone at this location. Tasks that involve repetitively gripping or extending the wrist or elbow trauma can cause persistent pain where the tendons attach. When the condition first develops this pain may be accompanied by inflammation, but as it progresses it can become a degenerative issue.

Activities associated with tennis elbow include tennis, squash, carpentry, sewing, and even computer use. This condition can occur at any age, but most commonly happens between the ages of 45 and 54 and affects around 1 to 3 percent of the population. Symptoms of tennis elbow may include pain on the outside of the elbow that is made worse by gripping objects or extending the wrist, and the pain may be constant or only occur during the activity that triggers it.

Treatment for this condition is important for preventing further damage, and for allowing the patient to get back to their regular activities quickly. Surgery is rarely needed, with other treatment options including changing activities, rest, anti-inflammatory medication, ice, physical therapy, and bracing. If less-intensive treatments are not effective, additional options include a corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma injection or dry needling.

The sports medicine specialists at Southern Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can provide you with diagnosis and treatment of tennis elbow in Mount Pleasant and Charleston so that you can return to the active lifestyle you love. Call us today at (843) 936-0715 to schedule an appointment with us.