Structure of the elbow joint
In the elbow joint, three bones “meet”: the humerus and the two forearm bones (the ulna and the radius). The forearm muscles can be divided into two groups: on one side are the flexors, opposite them are the extensors. As expected, the contraction of the flexor muscles bends the arm, while the contraction of the extensors extends the arm. Muscles are usually anchored to the bone surface by tendons.
Consequences of overloading the elbow joint
Under intense muscular work, small tears may occur in the tendons or at the points where they meet the bone, and even the periosteum can be damaged. Inflammation can also develop at the tendon attachment sites.
If we subject our forearm extensor muscles to excessive strain, periostitis may occur around the tendons attaching to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow; the muscles attached to the bone tense up, and pressure or movement causes pain on the outer side of the elbow. This condition is known as tennis elbow – although it got its name from the high incidence among participants in this popular sport, it by no means affects only athletes.
Tennis elbow can occur in anyone who performs repetitive arm movements. The condition is common, for example, among carpenters and workers who continuously hold tools and make twisting motions with them; it can also be triggered by prolonged repetitive actions, such as typing. Tennis elbow often develops during spring gardening work as well – it results from sudden strain (digging, raking, pruning) after the long winter “rest.”
Symptoms of tennis elbow
In two-thirds of those suffering from tennis elbow, the pain occurs on the dominant side, i.e., the arm used to perform the repetitive movements.
Symptoms
- a sharp pain on the outer side of the elbow that begins suddenly or gradually and worsens under load;
- intense pain when extending the hand and fingers backward;
- pain that can be agonizing even at rest;
- grasping or lifting even small, light objects can become painful or even impossible, as can shaking hands.
Treatment methods for tennis elbow
When treating tennis elbow, one of the most important steps is rest, meaning you must stop the activity that is causing the symptoms (whether it's a sport or work).
Cooling the painful area can be the first option. If these measures still don’t bid farewell to the pain, you can choose between medication or physiotherapy treatments. A variety of painkillers, steroid and non-steroid medications, creams and patches are available. It should be noted that (generally) neither painkillers nor steroids have a curative effect; they only suppress the symptoms. However, their side effects can be numerous, especially with long-term use. Therefore, it's worth looking for a solution that also addresses and heals the inflammation.
Modern electrotherapy devices can be used for drug-free treatment of the pain caused by tennis elbow.
They share the following characteristics:
- they are medically validated and used procedures,
- effective and easy to operate,
- and can be safely applied at home without the presence of a doctor.
At-home physiotherapy treatments
There are several methods. Each is effective on its own, but when combined they lead to the best results.
Pain-relieving TENS treatment: TENS is an effective symptomatic therapy for musculoskeletal conditions. It quickly reduces pain but has no curative effect. TENS treatment can be repeated as often as necessary. It certainly does not cause side effects.
Cold–hot therapy: alternating cooling and heating stimulates blood circulation and thus promotes healing processes that reduce inflammation. For mild symptoms, it is worth trying the Thermedic Elbow device, specially developed for elbow treatment.
Ultrasound treatment: ultrasound is a form of mechanical energy that, when absorbed by the tissues, stimulates blood circulation and thus healing processes. Ultrasound cannot be applied indefinitely! You need to know certain rules regarding how long and at what intensity it should be used. You can learn more from this article. After 10–15 ultrasound treatments, a break of a few months is required.
Low-level laser therapy: nowadays the use of low-level lasers is considered perhaps the most effective in musculoskeletal conditions. This includes tennis elbow as well. The light (laser) emitted into the tissues initiates multiple beneficial effects. Although it has some heat-generating and circulation-enhancing effects, its curative action occurs at the cellular level. The microcurrents generated by the laser radiation in the tissues restore the membrane potential of the damaged, inflamed cells, thereby catalyzing intracellular processes. Healing accelerates and the inflammatory process diminishes and disappears.
Combined treatment: in physiotherapy practice, a combination of the above applications is recommended. The treatment may consist of cooling–heating, ultrasound, and low-level laser therapies.
Despite coordinated treatment, tennis elbow can still be very persistent and stubborn. Daily activities – and the necessary use of the hand – work against healing. Therefore, perseverance is required to "make the symptoms go away," often necessitating months of treatment.
