Steemit Learning Challenge-S22W2: Physical Therapy Intervention: Tennis Elbow

Hello, everyone; we are here to share the contest for week 2, Steemit Learning Challenge season 22. I am grateful to all the users who participated in the previous week and supported my course, and thankful to the Steemit team for this opportunity. I invite all the users to share their unique participation and try to gain maximum grades to get selected as the winner of the Steemit Engagement Challenge season 22, week 2.

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Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

Tennis Elbow or lateral epicondylitis is the condition in which pain and inflammation occur on the lateral side of the elbow, mainly involving the lateral epicondyle. As it's named lateral epicondylitis, it affects the lateral epicondyle.

Causes

The common causes of tennis elbow are below:

• Overuse or repetitive strain, like people who play sports, mainly tennis, golf, and other racket sports. That repetitively uses the wrist & forearm muscles.
• Lateral epicondylitis occurs due to poor biomechanics or posture, like using poor biomechanics while performing activities.
• Age-related wear & tear occur due to degenerative changes in tendons and muscles around the elbow region.

Symptoms

The common symptoms shown in tennis elbow patients are:

• Pain and tenderness on the lateral side of the elbow.
• Pain while grasping or twisting, and lifting heavy objects.
• Weakness in wrist and forearm muscles due to repetitive use.

Types

Acute Tennis Elbow

• The sudden onset of symptoms due to trauma or injury. Symptoms last for a few days or weeks.

Chronic Tennis Elbow

• The prolonged pain and inflammation due to overuse or repetitive strain. The symptoms last from weeks to months.

There are other types of tennis elbow, radial tunnel syndrome, posterior interosseous nerve syndrome, and tennis elbow with radial head involvement.

Diagnosis

Tennis Elbow diagnosis can be made by different methods, but commonly used are:

• History taking about family, profession, past medical, and surgical history.
• A thorough physical examination by a physician or physical therapist.
• X-ray, Ultrasound and MRI to assess fractures, arthritis, and any muscle or tendon ruptures, respectively.

Special Tests

In physiotherapy, we perform some special tests to confirm the diagnosis.

1. Cozen's Test
2. Mills Test
3. Maudsley's Test
4. Resisted Wrist Extension Test
5. Middle Finger Test

Physical Therapy Intervention for Tennis Elbow

Physical therapy interventions for tennis elbow for days to weeks to regain normal range of motion or performing activities of daily living, rejoining sports team and subside the symptoms. Here are a few exercise videos that you have to perform to treat tennis elbow patients. Treatment protocols vary from patient to patient.

But the main thing is you have to evaluate the exact cause of tennis elbow, whether it's due to overuse or trauma. We can treat this condition completely with physical therapy, but sometimes surgical intervention is required if further damage occurs to muscles or tendons.