Say goodbye to tennis elbow pain!

Are you struggling with tennis elbow? Whether you're a seasoned tennis player or office work, elbow pain can be a frustrating setback. At Prohealth Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy Centres, we're here to help you get back to the sport you love!

What is tennis elbow

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a common condition caused by overuse of the forearm muscles. It leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow, making everyday activities challenging. Although it can affect anyone who overuses this group of muscles, it is a common injury among tennis players, especially recreational players with single-handed backhands. 

This stroke places stress on the forearm extensors, particularly impacting the ECRB. Various intrinsic skills and external equipment factors have been identified as contributors to this condition.

TWO Self quick testing

1. sit down and relax with your arm at your side, elbow at 90 degrees. Make a fist by squeezing your hand tightly. Check if there is pain on the outside of your elbow.

2. With the elbow rested by your side, lift the wrist up as if making a “STOP” sign. Place your other hand on top, try to resist letting the stop sign be pushed down. Check if there is pain on the outside of your elbow.

Treatments for tennis elbow:

Tennis elbow is a common condition treated by physiotherapists, a combination of manual therapy, soft tissue release and electrotherapy is commonly used. Firstly, the forearm and surrounding tissues are treated to reduce tension around the elbow and wrist. Your physiotherapist may then use a combination of manual therapy, dry needling or massage to relieve symptoms. Therapeutic Ultrasound may be applied to reduce swelling and pain, shockwave therapy may also be applied to stimulate tendon healing.

You will then be provided with a tailored exercise programme to strengthen the tendon in the elbow and shoulder, wrist, before receiving advice on how to manage your symptoms and manage you day to day activities for a quick and speedy recovery. 

Tennis Racket Recommendations for Tennis Elbow:

Tips for recreational tennis players

Tighten Your Grip Only at Impact:
Focus on gripping the racket tightly only when the ball hits the racket. Relax your grip during the follow-through to reduce stress on your elbow.

Choose the Right Racket Size:
Make sure your racket handle size fits your hand properly. An incorrect grip size can lead to increased force on your elbow, so find one that feels comfortable.

Ensure Good Grip Quality:
Check that your racket grip is in good condition. A worn or slippery grip can lead to excessive gripping, which can strain your elbow.

Physiotherapist’s Rackets recommendation

A racket with moderate weight between 280-300g (or even lighter for beginners), more flexible frame, and more balanced towards the handle would be preferred also players suffering from tennis elbow 

Here are some options you can try out, please note, these are based on general recommendations and may not suit every individual and every condition, if you continue to experience symptoms, please speak to your physiotherapist for an in-depth analysis and assessment.