Taking care of tennis elbow

Lateral Epicondylitis, commonly called Tennis Elbow, is one of the most common sports-related injuries in the world.

It's basically an overuse strain of the tendons in the forearm right at and below the point where they connect to the upper arm bone or humerus.  The knob of bone they attach to is called the lateral epicondyle, hence the medical name.

Tennis Elbow presents as an initially dull pain on the outside of the forearm, especially during and after active use - such as when playing tennis, or any other repetitive movement that requires gripping and rotating of the hand and wrist.  While the pain may begin as merely annoying, it can become debilitating if left untreated.

While the condition is named for tennis players - who are especially prone to injure this tendon - it's actually very common in people not involved in tennis or any other sport.  For instance, workers who routinely use hand tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers will often develop Tennis Elbow as a result of repetitive strain. 

It's recommended that once diagnosed by a medical professional, you take steps to nurture the injury. 

• Rest - If possible, do not use the injured arm, especially for movements that cause pain, for at least a few days.
• Ice - Use ice to reduce swelling and inflammation.
• Compression - Use a compression elbow strap or elbow bracing sleeve to compress the area that is inflamed to provide pain relief and protection during mild use.
• Elevate - While resting, raise the elbow above the level of the heart, especially if there is any swelling.