Tennis Elbow Not Just Tennis Related

While a large percentage of tennis players will suffer from tennis elbow at some point in their career, they only make up a small percentage of all reported cases of tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can strike anyone whose job or activity requires a repetitive motion of the wrist, including painting, plumbing, and using a hammer.

Sometimes confused with carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow is characterized by a recurring pain on the outside of the upper forearm, just below the elbow, that radiates down the arm toward the wrist. Pain often occurs when lifting or squeezing an object.

Rest is the best medicine. If treatment is needed, medication and physical therapy to strengthen the wrist are conservative and often effective methods. If conservative methods fail, surgery could be an option.

To prevent tennis elbow, take time to stretch your arm and wrist, warm up before your job or an activity, and strengthen your forearm using hand weights.

If you’re suffering from elbow pain or would like to schedule an appointment with one of the elbow doctors at Carolina Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center, call (704) 312-4371.