Which symptoms indicate tennis elbow?
January 15, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Fanni Helbig
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Alwin Brandes and I am reaching out to you because I have been experiencing severe pain in my elbow for some time now. I regularly play tennis and have recently noticed that the pain occurs especially when hitting and gripping. At first, I thought it was just a normal strain, but the pain has been getting worse and is now even affecting my daily activities.
My general practitioner has suggested that it may be tennis elbow. I have researched online and found some information about it, but I am not sure if my symptoms really point to that. In addition to the elbow pain, sometimes my arm feels weak and I have the sensation that the pain is spreading down to my forearm.
I am worried that the pain could become chronic and would like to know what specific symptoms indicate tennis elbow. Are there any signs I should watch out for? What measures can I take to alleviate the pain and prevent it from worsening? Are there alternative treatment methods that I should consider?
I would greatly appreciate if you could provide me with some information on this topic so that I can better understand what is happening with my elbow and how to best deal with it.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Alwin Brandes
Dear Mr. Brandes,
I thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise in the field of orthopedics. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing severe pain in your elbow, especially when playing tennis and gripping. It is important to take such symptoms seriously and treat them early to avoid long-term damage.
The symptoms you describe could indeed indicate a tennis elbow. Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury of the tendons at the elbow. Typical symptoms include pain on the outside of the elbow, which occurs when performing movements such as gripping, lifting, or rotating the forearm. Often, the pain radiates into the forearm and may be accompanied by weakness in the arm.
To relieve the pain and prevent worsening, there are various measures you can take. First and foremost, it is important to rest the affected arm and avoid excessive strain. Targeted physiotherapy can help strengthen the muscles and improve the flexibility of the elbow. Wearing an elbow brace can also reduce pain and support healing.
In addition, alternative treatment methods such as acupuncture, osteopathy, or shockwave therapy may be considered. These methods can help promote blood circulation and the healing process in the affected area. However, it is important to consult with a specialist before using such methods to rule out any potential risks.
I strongly recommend that you consult with an orthopedic specialist who can make an accurate diagnosis and provide you with individual treatment recommendations. They can also perform further tests such as an ultrasound examination or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to precisely identify the cause of your symptoms.
I hope this information is helpful to you and wish you a speedy recovery. If you have any further questions, I am happy to assist.
Best regards,
Fanni Helbig
