Tennis elbow
Symptom of tennis elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is an inflammation of the attachment of the tendons to the bone on the outside of the elbow joint. Such an inflammation generally occurs as a result of an overload of these tendons by doing the same movements repetitively or repeatedly. It can occur with repeated continuous heavy loads such as manual labour, work on conveyor belts, dock work, painting, assembly work, sports, etc., and with repeated continuous light loads such as typing, computers, ironing, etc.
Examination of the tennis elbow
When examining the elbow there is very intense pressure pain on the outside of the elbow joint. This is generally the region where the inflamed tendons are attached to the bone. The doctor will also provoke the movements of the tennis elbow and thus load the tendons, as is the case when working or doing sports. This can be done by moving the wrist against resistance, or by stretching the attachment of the tendons. In order to confirm the diagnosis and to examine the extent and seriousness of the inflammation, an X-ray and echogram of the elbow can be taken.
Complaints
There is generally pain when working or doing sports, these pain complaints can develop into stiffness of the elbow. With persistent symptom of tennis elbow, there can also be a loss of strength.
Therapy for the tennis elbow
The aim of the tennis elbow treatment is to eliminate the inflammation in the tendon attachment to the bone and to prevent it returning. An acute short-term tennis elbow, with or without inflamed nerve, is generally treated with physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories and rest. If this does not help, a corticosteroid injection can also be given into the inflamed tendons. In some cases, plaster can also provide a solution. If the complaints do not improve in the long term and become chronic, and seriously hinder the patient, surgery can be done.
Operation of the tennis elbow
The purpose of the tennis elbow surgery is to remove the chronically inflamed tissue around the attachment of the tendons to the bone. There are various techniques for doing this.
Complications after an tennis elbow operation
All surgical procedures can be coupled with infections or wound problems, which are fortunately rare. In the vicinity of the tendons to be operated on, there is also a nerve which can sometimes cause a temporary loss of strength in the fingers and wrist as a result of the swelling. If this is the case the strength generally returns.
Rehabilitation
After surgery, physiotherapy can be provided depending on the level or extent of the inflammation. It is important to resume work with the advice of an ergonomist or industrial doctor, in order to work in better or optimum working conditions. Sportsmen can use aids such as support straps around the elbow. With racquet sports, the foot positions are important and also the grip on the racquet.