What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as an extensor tendinopathy, is a common overuse injury that affects the tendons in the elbow. Despite its name, it doesn't exclusively affect tennis players; it can occur in anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm muscles. It commonly occurs from doing too much too soon with a new activity or from doing a new novel activity. Sometimes it may even occur when you have been doing the same thing for a long time.
Symptoms
Symptoms of tennis elbow typically include:
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Pain: The primary symptom is pain on the outside of the elbow. This pain may radiate down the forearm, particularly when gripping or lifting objects.
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Weakness: Individuals with tennis elbow might experience weakness in their grip, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks like shaking hands, turning a doorknob, or holding objects.
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Stiffness: Some people may experience stiffness in the elbow joint, especially after periods of rest or in the morning.
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Difficulty with specific movements: Activities that involve wrist extension or grasping, such as shaking hands, using tools, or lifting objects, may exacerbate the pain.
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Pain during certain activities: Pain typically worsens with activities that involve repetitive motions of the forearm, such as playing tennis (hence the name), typing, gardening, or painting.