Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow, known as lateral epicondylitis, is a distressing ailment resulting from the overloading of tendons in the elbow, often due to repetitive wrist and arm movements. Despite its name, athletes are not the sole sufferers of this condition. Individuals engaged in professions that involve repetitive motions, such as plumbers, painters, carpenters, and butchers, are also prone to developing tennis elbow. The pain primarily manifests at the point where the tendons of forearm muscles connect to a bony bump on the outer side of the elbow. Additionally, discomfort may extend into the forearm and wrist, exacerbating the overall distress caused by tennis elbow.
What are the symptoms of tennis elbow?
- A burning or painful sensation on the outer elbow that may radiate to the wrist, with increased discomfort often experienced at night.
- Twisting or bending the arm, such as turning a doorknob or opening a jar, can also trigger pain.
- Stiffness and discomfort when extending the arm.
- The elbow joint appears swollen and is sensitive to touch.
- A weakened grip, making it challenging to hold items like a racquet, wrench, pen, or even someone’s hand.
What’s the difference between tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow?
Tennis elbow refers to a condition affecting the lateral (outside) epicondyle tendon, situated on the outer part of the elbow. On the other hand, golfer’s elbow pertains to the medial (inside) epicondyle tendon, located on the inner part of the elbow. The medical term for golfer’s elbow is “medial epicondylitis.”
Individuals experiencing golfer’s elbow may encounter inner elbow pain that extends down the arm, and they might also experience numbness and tingling in the fingers. Interestingly, golfers can develop tennis elbow, just as tennis players may develop golfer’s elbow. The terms used to describe these conditions are based on the common activities associated with the repetitive wrist and forearm motions that contribute to their development, but both conditions can occur in individuals engaged in a variety of activities beyond golf or tennis.
The benefits of shockwave treatment for tennis elbow
Effective Solution:
Shockwave treatment has proven to be highly beneficial for tennis elbow, with recovery success rates surpassing 95%.
Non-Invasive Option:
Many individuals hesitate to undergo treatments that require surgery for tennis elbow, leading to treatment delays. Thankfully, shockwave therapy offers a completely non-invasive approach, eliminating the need for surgical intervention.
Minimal Side Effects:
Shockwave treatment for tennis elbow has shown to have very few negative effects and can be used to address various conditions, including tennis elbow. The reported adverse effects are limited to slight pain and inflammation at the treatment site.
Faster Treatment:
Shockwave therapy for tennis elbow is a fast-acting procedure that can be completed over several 15-30 minutes sessions. This shortened treatment period ensures that the recovery process does not unnecessarily prolong the discomfort caused by tennis elbow.
[1] Rompe, J. D., & Maffulli, N. (2007). Repetitive shock wave therapy for lateral elbow tendinopathy (tennis elbow): a systematic and qualitative analysis. British medical bulletin, 83(1), 355-378.
[2] Melikyan, E. Y., Shahin, E., Miles, J., & Bainbridge, L. C. (2003). Extracorporeal shock-wave treatment for tennis elbow: a randomised double-blind study. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume, 85(6), 852-855.