Tennis Elbow in Northampton & Corby
Your Local Experts in Elbow Pain
Are you struggling with Elbow PAIN and looking for effective, professional treatment? At Team Rehab UK Ltd, our dedicated clinics in Brixworth and Corby offer premium physiotherapy services to help you regain your mobility and live pain-free. With a minimum of 24 years of experience each, our highly skilled chartered physiotherapists are committed to providing personalised care tailored to your specific needs.
Understanding Tennis Elbow
Introduction to Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition characterised by pain on the outer part of the elbow. Despite its name, you don't have to be a tennis player to suffer from this condition. It often affects individuals engaged in activities that involve repetitive use of the forearm and elbow. Tennis elbow results from overuse and overstretching of the tendons that join the forearm muscles to the outer elbow, leading to inflammation, pain, and tenderness.
Anatomy of the Elbow Joint
To fully understand tennis elbow, it's essential to grasp the complex anatomy of the elbow joint. The elbow is a hinge joint formed by the articulation of three bones, which work together to facilitate a wide range of movements.
Bones of the Elbow Joint
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Humerus:
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The humerus is the upper arm bone that extends from the shoulder to the elbow. The lower end of the humerus features two prominent bony protrusions called the medial and lateral epicondyles. These epicondyles serve as crucial attachment points for muscles and tendons. The lateral epicondyle, located on the outer side of the elbow, is particularly relevant to tennis elbow as it is the site where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach.
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Radius:
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The radius is one of the two forearm bones and is situated on the thumb side of the forearm. It is the smaller of the two bones and plays a vital role in the rotational movement of the forearm. The top end of the radius, known as the radial head, forms part of the elbow joint and allows the radius to rotate around the ulna, enabling motions like pronation and supination (turning the palm up and down).
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Ulna:
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The ulna is the larger and longer bone of the forearm, located on the pinky side. It forms the main structure of the forearm and, together with the humerus, creates the hinge of the elbow joint. The upper end of the ulna features a prominent curved shape that fits snugly into the humerus, allowing for the bending and straightening of the arm.
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Anatomy of the Shoulder
The elbow joint's stability and functionality are maintained by various structures, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These structures work in harmony to support and move the joint.
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Muscles:
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Several muscles cross the elbow joint, enabling a range of movements such as flexion, extension, and rotation. Key muscles include the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, brachialis, and brachioradialis. The extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) muscle, which attaches to the lateral epicondyle, is often implicated in tennis elbow.
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Tendons:
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Tendons are tough, fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones. In the case of tennis elbow, the tendons attaching the forearm muscles to the lateral epicondyle become inflamed due to repetitive strain. This inflammation leads to pain and tenderness on the outer elbow.
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Ligaments:
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Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones, providing stability to the joint. The medial and lateral collateral ligaments are the primary stabilizing ligaments of the elbow. The annular ligament encircles the head of the radius, holding it in place and allowing smooth rotation around the ulna.
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Ensuring Optimal Treatment Outcomes
At Team Rehab UK, we emphasise that treatments which are not effective should not continue beyond accepted clinical timescales without further in-depth investigations. We prefer these additional assessments to be conducted by consultant specialists outside our company’s financial interests. This approach ensures we receive an unbiased second opinion, guaranteeing that the care you receive is the most clinically appropriate.
Understanding Tennis Elbow in More Detail
Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow become overloaded and inflamed. This condition is often the result of repetitive motions that strain these tendons, leading to microtears and degeneration over time. Activities that commonly cause tennis elbow include:
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Sports: While tennis is a common culprit, any sport involving repetitive arm motions, such as squash, badminton, and weightlifting, can contribute to the condition.
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Occupational Tasks: Jobs that require repetitive use of the forearm and wrist, such as painting, typing, carpentry, plumbing, and gardening, can lead to the development of tennis elbow.
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Daily Activities: Simple, everyday tasks like lifting, gripping, or carrying heavy objects can also strain the tendons and lead to symptoms.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The primary symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outer side of the elbow, which can radiate down the forearm and into the wrist. Other common symptoms include:
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Weak Grip Strength: Difficulty grasping objects or shaking hands.
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Pain with Movement: Increased pain during activities that involve wrist and forearm motions, such as lifting, gripping, or twisting.
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Tenderness: Soreness and tenderness around the lateral epicondyle.
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Stiffness: Reduced range of motion and stiffness in the elbow joint.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Accurate diagnosis of tennis elbow involves a thorough and systematic approach:
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Medical History Review: The physiotherapist will take a detailed history of the patient's symptoms, occupational activities, and any previous injuries to understand the onset and progression of the condition.
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Physical Examination: The examination includes specific tests to assess pain levels, range of motion, and tenderness. The physiotherapist may ask the patient to perform certain movements to pinpoint the exact location and severity of the pain.
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Imaging Tests:
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X-rays: Used to rule out other conditions such as fractures or arthritis.
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MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): In rare cases, an MRI may be ordered to get a detailed view of the soft tissues and confirm the diagnosis.
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Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
Conservative Treatments
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Rest: Essential for reducing inflammation and allowing the tendons to heal. Patients are advised to avoid activities that exacerbate the pain.
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Ice Therapy: Applying ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes at a time can help reduce pain and swelling.
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Elbow Supports: Using straps, braces, or splints can support the elbow and reduce stress on the tendons.
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Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage pain and reduce inflammation.
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Physiotherapy: A tailored physiotherapy program can strengthen the forearm muscles and improve flexibility. This may include:
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Stretching Exercises: To improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension.
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Strengthening Exercises: To build up the forearm muscles and prevent recurrence.
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Manual Therapy: Techniques such as massage and mobilisation to reduce pain and improve function.
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Kinesio Taping: This can prove very helpful for pain relief.
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Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT): This non-invasive treatment involves applying shock waves to the affected area to stimulate healing.
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Corticosteroid Injections: Administered by a consultant to provide relief from severe pain and inflammation. We are not lovers of this approach at team rehab uk except in very specific circumstances as research shows that in chronic presentations, it can actually increase the pan in the long run, elongate the duration of recovery and make physiotherapy and self care less effective.
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Acupuncture: Can be used to reduce muscle tension and pain.
Surgical Interventions
Surgery is considered a last resort when conservative treatments fail to relieve symptoms after six months:
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Traditional (Open) Surgery: The damaged tendon is detached and repaired or removed through an open incision.
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Arthroscopic Surgery: A minimally invasive procedure using an arthroscope to view and repair the damaged tendons.
We have included this video animation to help you visualise the anatomy that we, as professionals, often take for granted. At Team Rehab UK, we are dedicated to helping our patients understand the causes of their symptoms, empowering them to effectively manage their condition both during and after their treatment.
Please note that some of our videos may be of American origin and might contain slightly different professional terms or approaches compared to those used in the UK. However, the content remains highly informative and beneficial. You should seek advice form your UK based specialist before trying any advice contained, or inferred, in the video you ensure it complies with UK best practice standards.
Summary
Tennis elbow is a painful and often debilitating condition resulting from repetitive strain on the tendons attaching the forearm muscles to the elbow. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help in managing this condition effectively. At Team Rehab uk in Northampton (Brixworth) and Corby, we offer comprehensive physiotherapy services to help you recover from tennis elbow and get back to your daily activities pain-free.
We are recognised providers for Bupa Northampton and Axa Northampton (and other providers) as well as welcoming self funding patients. Don't let tennis elbow hinder your daily activities. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey towards recovery.
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Convenient Locations in Brixworth and Corby
Brixworth Clinic
Our main rehabilitation centre in Northampton (Brixworth) was purpose built with the sole aim of providing the best opportunities for our expert team to provide you with the best recovery potential. Open in April 2024, the clinic is conveniently located and easily accessible, offering a welcoming environment where you can receive the highest standard of care. We are committed to making your visit as comfortable and effective as possible.
Corby Clinic
The Corby clinic is a much smaller set up within the Lakeside medical centre but we strive to deliver the same exceptional physiotherapy services, within the confines of the setting, ensuring that high-quality physiotherapy is available to the wider community. Our dedicated team is ready to help you overcome back pain and improve your quality of life.
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