The term "tennis elbow" is used to describe a pain in the area of ​​the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, which increases when the fingers and wrist are straightened. Pain is often accompanied by decreased strength and dysfunction of the upper limb. The symptoms of tennis elbow are not the result of inflammation but of degenerative changes involving the attachments closer to the tendons of the wrist extending muscles.

Pain from a tennis elbow appears on the lateral side of the elbow and may radiate to the dorsal part of the forearm and hand. Patients complain of increasing pain when straightening the fingers, wrist and elbow. Most often, severe pain occurs when lifting heavy objects, twisting or unscrewing (jars, screws, etc.), shaking hands when greeting. The pain may be so severe that some patients are unable to even lift a glass of water. Additionally, there may be weakening of the wrist strength and weakening of the functions of the upper limb.

The disease is common among tennis players (hence the name). However, it is primarily people who use their hands in their work, especially if they constantly make the same wrist and elbow movements, repeated many times - builders, plumbers, mechanics, painters, carpenters, people working in production plants, seamstresses, musicians. A large group of patients are also people whose work is related to the constant use of a computer - programmers, computer graphic designers, office workers and even writers. Tennis elbow is also common among people actively involved in sports - exercising a lot in the gym, especially if they put an intense strain on the muscles of the forearms. This disease usually occurs in people over 40 years of age.

To reduce pain, you can apply temporary cold compresses as well as painkillers and anti-inflammatory agents. However, it should be remembered that they only bring short-term relief, without eliminating the cause of the pain. A very important element of treatment is rehabilitation, which consists in manual therapy of soft tissues and physical therapy (e.g. shock wave treatments). Surgery is performed in the case of persistent, severe pain in the elbow and failure of conservative treatment.

Conservative treatment is mainly used. Avoid movements that overload the extensor muscles of the wrist and cause pain. The range of treatment methods includes: manual therapy, massage, wrist extensor stretching exercises, cryotherapy, needle therapy, shock wave treatments, plasma injections with concentrated platelets (biological treatment).

Tennis elbow is not caused by inflammation, so drug treatment misses the point. In exceptional cases, steroid drugs are administered - when pain prevents the patient from functioning or acute swelling has occurred. However, it is an emergency treatment and cannot be used for a long time

When, after one year of conservative treatment, severe pain in the elbow does not disappear - the patient is qualified for surgery.