Lateral Elbow Pain or "Tennis Elbow"

Tennis elbow is a very common condition that we see and treat at Fitness Physiotherapy.

However, many patients have presented to the clinic with lateral elbow pain that is not actually tennis elbow. It is extremely important to screen for other potential causes of lateral elbow pain which can include a disc bulge or nerve root impingement in the neck, radial nerve entrapment or even a condition known as thoracic outlet syndrome can refer pain to the elbow. So it is important to identify the source and underlying cause of the problem to figure out the right course of management.

In saying that "Tennis Elbow" is a very common condition that lacks understanding of how complex it can actually be. Although the condition is labelled the same across many different people, management for the same condition can be very different for each patient. Again it comes back to understanding the underlying cause.

Just to give you an example in my clinical experience many pateints get better with a shoulder strengthening program. A weak shoulder or rotator cuff can cause force transference or increased stress at the elbow.  If you think of your arm like a crane the more load you place at the end of a crane or in your hand the more weight or strength and stability you must have at the base which is your shoulder.

We have 5 muscle that attach to the common extensor orgin at the lateral aspect of the elbow so it can depend of which action causes you the most amount of pain to identify which muscle or muscles can be responsible for your symptoms. Whether it be gripping, twisting jars, turning keys, pouring coffee, typing, etc. some muscle may need to be strengthened others off loaded or rested.

Local treatment such as dry needling, massage, ice, heat, ultrasound, or bracing can help to assist with management of your symptoms.

So if you have lateral elbow pain lasting longer than a week I would recommend coming in for an assessment because the longer you leave it the longer it will take to get better.