Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
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Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) for Teenagers
What is lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)?
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is the name for a
condition in which the bony bump at the outer side of the
elbow is painful and tender.
The elbow joint is made up of the bone in the upper arm
(humerus) and one of the bones in the lower arm (ulna). The
bony bumps at the bottom of the humerus are called
epicondyles. The bump on the outer side of the elbow, to
which certain forearm muscles are attached by tendons, is
called the lateral epicondyle.
Lateral epicondylitis is also referred to as wrist extensor
tendonitis.
How does it occur?
Tennis elbow results from overusing the muscles in your
forearm that straighten and raise your hand and wrist. When
these muscles are overused, the tendons are repeatedly
tugged at the point of attachment (the lateral epicondyle).
As a result, the tendons become inflamed. Repeated, tiny
tears in the tendon tissue cause pain. Among the activities
that can cause tennis elbow are tennis and other racquet
sports, carpentry, machine work, typing, and knitting.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of tennis elbow are:
- pain or tenderness on the outer side of the elbow
- pain when you straighten or raise your wrist and hand
- pain made worse by lifting a heavy object
- pain when you make a fist, grip an object, shake hands,
or turn door handles
- pain that shoots from the elbow down into the forearm or
up into the upper arm.
How is it treated?
Treatment includes the following:
- Put an ice pack on your elbow for 20 to 30 minutes every
3 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away.
- You can also do ice massage. Massage your elbow with ice
by freezing water in a Styrofoam cup. Peel the top of
the cup away to expose the ice and hold onto the bottom
of the cup while you rub the ice over your elbow for 5 to
10 minutes.
- Take anti-inflammatory pain medication, such as
ibuprofen.
- Do the exercises recommended by your doctor.
Your doctor may recommend that you:
- Wear a tennis elbow strap. This strap wraps around the
forearm below the elbow and helps keep the forearm
muscles from pulling on the painful epicondyle.
You will need to avoid or reduce racquet sports or other
activities that involve repetitive motion of the elbow
(hammering, unscrewing jars, or using a screwdriver) until
your symptoms disappear.
If ice, rest, anti-inflammatory medication, and an elbow
strap do not relieve your symptoms, you may need physical
therapy.
How long will the effects last?
The pain of tennis elbow will last until there is no stress
to the area. Avoid physical activities that make the
condition worse until the symptoms disappear. Usually the
symptoms go away a week or two after you begin treatment.
How can I prevent tennis elbow?
To prevent tennis elbow:
- Use proper form during your activities, whether they are
sports or job-related. For instance, be sure your tennis
stroke is correct and that your tennis racquet has the
proper grip size.
- Warm up before playing tennis or doing other activities
that involve your elbow or arm muscles. Gently stretch
your elbow and arm muscles before and after exercise.
- Ice your elbow after exercise or work.
- In job-related activities, be sure your posture is
correct and that the position of your arms during your
work doesn't cause overuse of your elbow or arm muscles.
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