Release time：2024-12-25 16:13
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What is tennis elbow?
"Tennis elbow", scientifically known as lateral epicondylitis, is mainly manifested by localized tenderness in the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. Lateral epicondylitis is an aseptic disease of the connection between the forearm muscles and the lateral epicondyle of the humerus caused by trauma and chronic strain. Its essence is the degenerative changes of tendon tissue.
Clinically, it often manifests as pain on the outside of the elbow caused by patients grasping and lifting objects with force. Lateral epicondylitis is common in individuals aged 30 to 50 years old, with no gender difference. The onset is not related to labor or the dominant hand side; however, it is related to the performance of sports activities using rackets.
"Tennis elbow" patients will experience significantly increased pain when performing certain specific movements such as wrist extension or forearm rotation, such as waving arms, twisting towels, playing badminton, and playing tennis, but the pain does not affect the range of motion of the elbow joint. Because it is common in tennis players, it is also called "tennis elbow".
What are the typical symptoms of tennis elbow?
1. Pain
The pain is located on the outside of the elbow joint. In the early stage, the pain occurs only when doing certain movements, but it can be relieved after rest. In the future, it may develop into persistent pain. Touching the elbow may cause squeezing pain or aggravated pain. It can spread to the upper arm and forearm. The pain is aggravated when making a fist, grasping objects or twisting a towel. Some patients have aggravated pain when the elbow is tired or on rainy days.
2. Numbness
Numbness or paresthesia may occur on the outside of the elbow joint and forearm. The elbow joint is stiff in the morning, but the movement is not restricted.
3. Weakness in grip
It is easy to lose grip when gripping objects, especially when the forearm is pronated.
4. Pain in pressing
There is tenderness in the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, the dorsal side of the humeroradial joint, the front of the lower edge of the humeral head and around the radial head. There is no local swelling or slight swelling.
What causes tennis elbow?
At present, the pathogenesis of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) has not been fully elucidated. It is generally believed in etiology that excessive load and strain of the tendons of the radial wrist brevis and the common extensor tendon are the key factors inducing lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Tennis, table tennis, badminton and other racket sports are common sports that cause lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
In addition, pianists, typists or wrist workers who have been engaged in heavy and single physical activities for a long time are also prone to lateral epicondylitis. The onset of lateral epicondylitis is related to chronic strain of the tendons caused by increased load on the radial wrist brevis.
With in-depth research, it has been found that in addition to elbow joint movement, gene expression (genetic factors) and high blood sugar have also been confirmed to be high-risk factors for lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
How to diagnose tennis elbow?
A positive extensor tendon traction test (Mills sign) is of great significance for the diagnosis of "tennis elbow".
Examination method: The patient straightens his elbow, makes a fist, flexes his wrist, and then pronates his forearm. At this time, it is positive if pain on the outside of the elbow is induced. Or when the patient's forearm is in pronation, the doctor performs supination movement against external force. If pain occurs on the outside of the elbow, it is also positive.
Treatment of tennis elbow
Follow the PRICE principle in case of acute injury:
Protection: Stop the activity immediately, protect the injured part, and avoid secondary injury or weight bearing on the injured part. Rest: Take adequate rest after the injury to protect the muscles, Achilles tendon and other tissues to prevent the injury from worsening. If necessary, use a brace to fix the forearm extensor in the resting position to limit its movement.
Ice: Ice can relieve pain in a short time, constrict blood vessels, slow down blood circulation in the injured part, and achieve swelling.
Compression: Compression is usually performed after injury and lasts for 24 to 48 hours.
Elevation: Make the injured part higher than the heart, which can be achieved with the help of a cushion or a wrist strap.
1. Ultrasound therapy
Ultrasound can accelerate blood flow in local tissues of the human body, improve blood circulation, enhance tissue repair ability, and enhance the ductility of connective tissue, thereby reducing or relieving pain.
2. Shock wave therapy
Through mechanical pressure effect and cavitation effect, it can loosen tissue adhesion, improve tissue microcirculation, accelerate the elimination of metabolic decomposition products, promote inflammation subsidence, and also have analgesic effect.
3. Acupuncture and needle knife treatment
Acupuncture treatment has the effect of regulating qi and blood, dredging meridians and activating collaterals, and can further promote local blood circulation.
4. Traditional massage
Manually loosening the pain points and tense muscles can relieve pain and promote recovery.
5. Other methods
Such as taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, local injections, etc. can relieve pain. For patients with stubborn tennis elbow, PRP therapy, surgical treatment, etc. can be considered.