Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is a condition that affects the elbow's outer part where the forearm muscles' tendons attach to the lateral epicondyle, a bony bump on the outer side of the elbow.
This condition is commonly caused by overuse or repetitive strain on the forearm muscles and tendons, which can lead to small tears in the tendons and result in inflammation and pain.
Despite its name, lateral epicondylitis is not limited to tennis players.
It can affect anyone who performs repetitive motions that strain the forearm muscles, such as carpenters, painters, and computer users.
Symptoms of lateral epicondylitis include:
Pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow.
Difficulty gripping objects.
Weakness in the affected arm.
With appropriate treatment, most people with lateral epicondylitis can recover full function of the affected arm.
As with any pain, minimising the actions that cause the pain is first. Soft tissue treatment of the associated muscles and directly treating the tendon can help reduce the symptoms of this annoying condition.
Both Tennis elbow and Golfer's elbow are self-limiting conditions. The average duration of a typical episode is about six months to two years, but most patients recover within one year.
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