Health & Wellbeing

Managing

ELBOW PAIN

With the start of the world’s oldest major tennis tournament in Wimbledon, there is no better time to consider the possible upper limb pathologies that may arise in tennis players of all levels.

Tennis enjoys great popularity worldwide due to the combination of technical skills, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, appropriate for players of all levels. It is, however, a sport that is associated with a fairly high incidence of injuries of up to 2.9 injuries per player per year.

Tennis elbow is possibly one of the most common pathologies among tennis players. However, it can affect anybody who is consistently exposed to heavy arm work, such as nurses and care workers lifting patients or carpenters. This pathology can be very uncomfortable and, once it is established, may present in simple tasks, such as rotating the forearm and carrying shopping bags.

Mr Angelos Assiotis, Trauma and Orthopaedic surgeon at New Victoria Hospital, comments, “Tennis elbow can affect up to 50% of players who will develop some lateral elbow pain at some point in their careers.”

The leading causes are often related to strenuous exercise for professional athletes. Sometimes, it can be caused by an incorrect technique, the wrong racket grip or the racket being too heavy.

Recovery time depends on many factors, such as type of operation, age, rehab physiotherapy and individual response. Tennis players are usually back on the court at around 4-6 months after surgery.

“Physiotherapy, bracing of the elbow, antiinflammatory medications and rest are often the first-line of intervention.” – continues Mr Assiotis - Shockwave therapy can also help promote tissue healing”.

The treatment with Shockwave relies on an intense vibration that produces a controlled localised inflammatory reaction that promotes tissue regeneration.

When medical treatments are not successful in managing symptoms, surgical release of the affected tendon needs to be performed, through an open incision or keyhole surgery. ”Recovery time depends on many factors, such as type of operation, age, rehab physiotherapy and individual response. Tennis players are usually back on the court at around 4-6 months after surgery.” concludes Mr Assiotis.

If you are concerned about any elbow symptoms or pain, you might want to speak to your GP or see a physiotherapist.

If you would like to see an upper limb orthopaedic specialist at New Victoria Hospital you can visit newvictoria.co.uk or call 020 8949 9020.

New Victoria Hospital is a well-regarded medical facility in the community, recently winning the Excellent Patient Experience Award by Doctify, the healthcare patient review platform where the Hospital consistently achieves a 4.87 out of a 5-star rating.