Ask The Expert: Tennis elbow – not just for tennis players

July 08, 2024 - Defence Stories

Q: I recently decided to take up tennis to get into better shape. I joined a club, had some lessons, fell in love with the sport and was soon playing 12 hours a week. Two months after starting, my right elbow became sore, and shortly after, just lifting a cup of coffee was painful. “Dr. Google” says I have tennis elbow. Could you explain what this is and how I can treat it? Double Fault Debbie

A: Dear Debbie: Sorry about your injury. Tennis elbow is also known as lateral epicondylitis and is a very common overuse injury. It can be quite disabling, especially when it affects your dominant arm. The most common cause of tennis elbow is repetitive strain on the extensor muscles of the forearm. In your case, this was almost certainly the result of hitting tennis balls for two hours a day. It can also result from hitting the outside of your elbow against a hard surface, or from a sudden pull on your forearm that can occur -i.e., when your dog lunges on their leash to chase a squirrel. In some cases, we can’t identify the cause of this injury.

Tennis elbow doesn’t just happen to athletes. It also commonly occurs in people whose jobs or hobbies demand they use their arms and hands a lot, including mechanics, plumbers, construction workers, painters, office workers and military personnel. The pain is typically focused where your extensor tendons attach to the bony lump on the outside of your elbow. Some people also have pain radiating down their forearm and/or up their upper arm. Tennis elbow can be painful when you try to complete simple tasks like shaking hands, picking up a carton of milk or using a screwdriver.

Recovering from tennis elbow is highly individual and depends on many variables including: how much tissue has been damaged, how long the tendon was overused, a person’s age, how soon treatment is initiated, a person’s job, and if they follow their treatment plan. Most people take several months to recover but for some, their symptoms last for years.

Tennis elbow treatments include: reducing the aggravating activity, physiotherapy, forearm muscle stretching and strengthening exercises, massaging the tendon insertion site, tennis elbow bracing, acupuncture, ice, oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications, shock wave therapy and decreased use. If these conservative treatment strategies fail, people may benefit from a corticosteroid injection. If nothing else works, you may require tendon release surgery. 

Bottom line: Tennis elbow is very common and can significantly affect your quality of life. If you’re suffering from the symptoms listed in this article, see your health care provider, and get treatment ASAP. 

For more information on this topic, try the following link: www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/tennis_elbow.html

Dr. Darrell Menard OMM MD, Dip Sport Med
Dr. Menard is the Surgeon General’s specialist advisor in sports medicine.

Strengthening the Forces (#STF) is the CAF/DND’s health promotion program providing expert information, guidance, training, tools and leadership support to improve CAF members’ health and well-being.