Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a muscle strain injury which is due to the overuse of muscle. Its cause is frequent contraction of the forearm muscles which use to straighten and raise hand and wrist. The recurring motions and stress to the tissue may lead to a series of small tears in the tendons which attach the forearm muscles to the bony bump at the outside of elbow.

The other major cause of tennis elbow is playing tennis with frequent use of the backhand stroke by poor technique. However, many other arm motions can lead to tennis elbow as use of plumbing tools, repetitive mouse use, driving screws, or cutting meat or other cooking ingredients.

Risk factors for developing tennis elbow are as follows:

• Age: Tennis elbow can affect the people of any age. However it is common in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years.
• Occupation: People who have jobs which need the frequent motions of arm and wrist are more susceptible to develop tennis elbow. For example butchers, plumbers, painters, cooks and carpenters.
• Certain sports: Participating in racket sports elevates the risk of tennis elbow, especially in case of poor stroke technique.

The pain due to tennis elbow may spread out from the outside of elbow into forearm and wrist. The pain and weakness due to tennis elbow may make it harder to:

• Shake hands
• Hold a coffee cup
• Grip an object
• Turn a doorknob

Following are the ways to diagnose the tennis elbow:

• Physical exam: In the physical examination doctor may ask you to move the elbow, fingers or wrist or he may apply pressure to the affected area.
• Imaging tests: If physical exam is not considered enough to diagnose the tennis elbow then doctor may advise you X-rays or other types of imaging tests.

Tennis elbow generally gets better on its own. However if over-the-counter pain medicines and other self-management measures are not working then following treatments are suggested:

Therapy

A physical therapist will teach you exercises which can slowly stretch and strengthen your muscles of your forearm.

Surgeries or Other Procedures

• Injections: Botox, platelet-rich plasma, or some forms of irritant are injected by the doctor into the painful tendon.
• Ultrasonic tenotomy (TENEX procedure): In this procedure, a doctor inserts a special needle through the skin into the damaged portion of tendon through ultrasound guidance. Ultrasonic energy vibrates the needle so quickly that the damaged tissue gets liquefied and can be suctioned out.
• Surgery: If your condition is not improved after six to 12 months of non-operative treatment then your doctor may advise you surgery to eliminate the damaged tissue. Surgeries can be done by making a large incision or through tiny incisions.

Alternative Treatments

• Ayurvedic treatments: Dashamoolarishta, Balarishtha, Asthavarga kashaya, Maharasnadi Kashayam and Yogaraja guggulu are the common Ayurvedic medicines used in the treatment of tennis elbow.
• Homeopathic medicines for tennis elbow: Calcarea, Rhus Tox, and Cocculus Indicus are the most common homeopathic medicines for the painful conditions of tennis elbow.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture treats tennis elbow by allowing natural energy to flow throughout the body.
• Kairali massage: Ksheerabala taila, Bala taila, Sahacharadi taila, Prasarini and Dhanvantara taila are often used in Kairali massage to strengthen the muscles and tendons.

Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements include amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, herbals and botanicals, and many other products. They are available as capsules, traditional tablets and powders, drinks and energy bars. They are highly beneficial for the maintenance of a good health.

• GLME (Green lipped mussel extract): It is the most effective dietary supplement that can be helpful to treat the condition of tennis elbow. It is extracted from the green lipped mussel which is a shell fish that is grown in the farms of New Zealand.

The unique role GLME (Green lipped mussel extract) in the treatment and management of tennis elbow is as below:

• It lubricates the joints and increases the joint mobility.
• It prevents the joint degeneration and repairs the damaged cartilages.

Seatone is the best preparation of GLME (green lipped mussel extract) which is accessible as capsules. Seatone is the safest GLME product because:

• It is extracted only from the top quality of fresh mussels at their peak condition at the best times of year.
• Seatone is made available to you after several tests and trials.

Seatone is better than all the other treatments for tennis elbow because:

• Seatone do not show any side effects whereas the surgeries done for the treatment of tennis elbow can cause infections and blot clots.
• Medicines used for tennis elbow can provide quick relief from pain along with a number of side effects whereas Seatone provides gradual but progressive relief from pain without causing any side effect.
• Seatone also provides gradual improvement in grip strength and mobility which is not provided by any other treatment.
• Seatone is safe even for prolonged use but the other medicines for tennis bone start showing unfavorable effects after prolonged use.

Tennis bone can be managed with the aid of home remedies and by making few changes in lifestyle as below:

• Rest: Take enough rest and avoid activities which aggravate elbow pain.
• Pain relievers: Use over-the-counter pain relievers whenever the pain becomes severe.
• Ice: To relieve the pain apply ice for 15 minutes three to four times in a day.
• Technique: Follow proper technique for your activities and avoid repetitive wrist motions.

The tennis elbow can be prevented by stretching and strengthening your arm muscles so as to make them strong and flexible enough for your activities.

Following are the other ways to prevent tennis elbow:

• Staying in healthy physical shape
• Using the correct movements and techniques during activities
• Not overusing arm with frequent movements which can injure your tendon
• Wearing a counterforce brace while performing activities which need twisting and grasping arm movements

Elbow pain generally gets better without surgery however many people who undergo surgery have full use of their elbow and forearm afterwards.