Tennis is a great form of physical activity that works out many parts of the body due to its demanding dynamics, but just like every other sport, it also comes with a certain risk for injury. The most common injury in the sport is called lateral epicondylitis, which is often referred to as tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is a bothersome injury that can significantly interfere with gameplay, but there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk. And if it does occur, physical therapy is often the best way to help you recover quickly and safely.

The lateral epicondyle is a bony bump on the outside of the elbow that serves as an attachment point for several muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the elbow and forearm. When the arm is overworked, a muscle in this region called the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) becomes weaker, which eventually leads to microscopic tears in its tendon that attaches to the lateral epicondyle. These changes produce inflammation in the ECRB tendon that is characteristic of tennis elbow.

Most People Who Get Tennis Elbow are Not Tennis Players

Tennis elbow is classified as a repetitive strain injury, meaning it's caused by repeatedly performing the same movements over a long period. Therefore, athletes who play tennis and other racquet sports have a particularly high risk for developing it. However, only a small percentage of people who get tennis elbow actually play a racquet sport, as the injury can occur in anyone who performs repeated movements involving the elbow. Therefore, painters, plumbers, and carpenters also have an increased risk for developing tennis elbow since their professions require repetitive hand and/or wrist motions every day.

When tennis elbow occurs, the most obvious symptom is pain on the outside of the elbow that may extend down into the forearm and wrist. Patients might also notice weakness or discomfort when lifting or gripping objects, or even when making simple movements like shaking hands or turning a doorknob. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to address them early, as tennis elbow can become chronic if left untreated.

How Can Physical Therapy Help?

Some patients will manage their tennis elbow with rest, ice, or pain medications, but these interventions can only provide short–term relief. To properly address the underlying issues responsible for tennis elbow, physical therapy is often necessary, since it gets to the root of the problem and addresses any imbalances or deficiencies through a comprehensive treatment program.

Physical therapy for tennis elbow involves a therapist guiding the patient through a variety of targeted interventions, including stretching and strengthening exercises for the forearm muscles. Strengthening these muscles can help relieve the strain on your tendons, which reduces the risk for the injury returning in the future. Manual therapy may also be used, which involves a variety of hands–on techniques that relieve tension in the affected muscles and tendons, to improve range of motion and alleviate pain.

Physical Therapy vs Other Interventions

When compared to treatments like corticosteroid injections and surgery, physical therapy is often found to be the most cost–effective and best long–term solution. One study showed that while injections were capable of providing temporary relief, physical therapy was the more effective option for helping patients recover in the long term and for improving their quality of life. It accomplished this by strengthening the muscles around the elbow, which helped to prevent future injuries and reduced the need for more invasive treatments like surgery.

When to See a Physical Therapist

If you've been dealing with elbow pain for more than a few weeks or if the pain is interfering with your daily activities, it's a good idea to see a physical therapist now. The earlier you address your tennis elbow, the better your chances are of experiencing a full recovery without the need for more invasive treatments. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our expert physical therapists.

To read the entire article that compares physical therapy to other interventions for tennis elbow, click here.