Tennis Elbow is a popular sports condition that gets mentioned a lot with certain activities. But what exactly is tennis elbow?
Tennis Elbow: A tale of two names
The two common scientific names for Tennis Elbow are Lateral Epicondylitis or Lateral Epicondylalgia. Breaking down the words…
- Lateral: outside of the elbow – on the side of the thumb
- Epicondyle: a bump on the outside of the upper arm near where it meets the forearm
This bump is where two muscles, known as the Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus & Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRL and ECRB), attach to the elbow.
Where things get more complex is in the last part of the last names:
- Itis: refers to inflammation
- Algia: refers to pain or ache
The lateral epicondyle can become irritated, inflamed and painful as a result of putting the area under more stress than it’s used to.
This is a common condition that occurs in:
- Tennis players: hence it’s nickname of tennis elbow
- People who work on the computer a lot – as the two muscles above attach all the way to the fingers
- People who do a lot of repetitive gripping and finger work through manual labour
Tennis Elbow can be a scary and complex sounding condition – but working with a proper physiotherapist or chiropractor who understands it can play a big role in your recovery.
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself. Eric Bowman, BSc, MPT, PT, or another Waterloo physiotherapist at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
