What Is Tennis Elbow?
Lateral epicondylitis, commonly referred to as tennis elbow, is a degenerative tendon condition characterized by pain and tenderness over the lateral elbow region. While the name suggests an athletic etiology, this disorder frequently affects individuals engaged in repetitive manual activities across various professions, including but not limited to carpentry, painting, computer work, and culinary arts.
Did you know? Studies indicate that approximately 1-3% of the general population experiences elbow problems annually, with peak incidence occurring between 35-50 years of age. The risk extends far beyond sports participation, encompassing any occupation requiring sustained gripping or repetitive wrist extension.
Recognizing Tennis Elbow Symptoms
Recognizing Tennis Elbow symptoms early can help in seeking timely treatment. The most common symptoms include:
- Pain: Extreme pain or burning sensation on the outer part of the elbow. Or pain in inner elbow when straightening arm is also a sign of tennis elbow. Your elbow hurts badly due to this.
- Weak grip strength: Weak grip makes it difficult to hold objects.
- Worsening of pain: This is due to small activities like shaking hands, lifting, or turning a doorknob.
- Stiffness: Numbness and tenderness in the elbow, especially in the morning. If this occurs frequently, you may have Tennis Elbow inflammation requiring treatment.
- Pain in the inner elbow when straightening the arm: This indicates possible inflammation of the tendons.
When to Seek Medical Help?
If elbow pain persists for more than two weeks or interferes with daily activities, it’s crucial to consult a specialist for evaluation and proper treatment.
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
The primary cause of Tennis Elbow is repetitive motion that stresses the tendons in the forearm. Common risk factors include:
1. Overuse & Repetitive Motion
- If you are playing racket sports like, tennis, badminton, squash etc., with improper technique, there are high chances of tennis elbow
- Weightlifting or repetitive manual work like hammering and painting will also lead to this condition.
- If you are a person who uses computer mouse or types on a keyboard for a long time, there is a chance of experiencing tennis elbow.
2. Poor Mechanics or Improper Grip Techniques
- Incorrect racket grip or poor swinging technique in sports.
- Using the wrong posture while lifting objects or working with tools.
3. Age & Lifestyle Factors
- Tennis Elbow is most common in people aged 30 to 50, but anyone involved in repetitive arm movement have a high risk of developing tennis elbow.
- If you suddenly increases physical activities, without proper conditioning, it may lead to this condition.
How Is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider can diagnose Tennis Elbow through:
1. Clinical Examination
- The doctor will check for pain, tenderness, and swelling around the elbow.
- Grip strength and range of motion tests may be performed.
2. Imaging Tests
- X-rays to rule out arthritis, elbow problems or fractures.
- Ultrasound or MRI scans to assess tendon damage and elbow inflammation.
Advanced Non-Surgical Tennis Elbow Treatments
At Regencare, we specialize in non-surgical treatments that offer faster recovery and long-term relief.
1. Regenerative Therapies
- These therapies stimulate natural healing and repair damaged tendons. The best medicine for tennis elbow is as follows:
- PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
PRP therapy involves extracting a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate growth factors, and injecting it into the affected tendon. This boosts tissue repair and reduces inflammation.
- GFC Therapy (Growth Factor Concentrate)
GFC therapy enhances tendon recovery by delivering concentrated growth factors to the injured area, accelerating healing and reducing pain.
- BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate)
BMAC therapy involves extracting bone marrow from the patient’s hip bone, which is rich in stem cells and growth factors. The marrow is then processed to concentrate healing components and injected into the damaged tendons of the elbow. This enhances tissue regeneration, reduces inflammation, and supports long-term healing of Tennis Elbow.
- SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction)
SVF therapy extracts stem cells, growth factors, and cytokines from the patient’s fat tissue (adipose tissue). These cells have strong anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. When injected into the damaged elbow tendons, SVF accelerates tissue repair and reduces chronic pain, making it a promising non-surgical treatment for Tennis Elbow.
- Autologous Conditioned Serum (ACS)
ACS therapy involves processing the patient’s own blood to extract anti-inflammatory proteins (cytokines) and growth factors. This serum is then injected into the inflamed tendons to block pain-causing proteins (like interleukin-1) and promote natural healing. ACS is highly effective in reducing elbow inflammation and chronic pain in Tennis Elbow patients.
- Autologous Cultured Osteoblast Therapy
Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that play a role in tendon repair and bone health. In this therapy, a sample of the patient’s bone cells is cultured in a lab to increase their numbers before being injected into the damaged elbow tendons. This boosts collagen production, strengthens the tendon structure, and enhances healing from Tennis Elbow.
- Stem Cell Therapy for Tennis Elbow
Stem cell therapy involves injecting stem cells (derived from bone marrow or adipose tissue) into the damaged tendon. These cells have the ability to differentiate into tendon-like cells, reducing degeneration and promoting tissue regeneration. Stem cell therapy is particularly beneficial for chronic Tennis Elbow cases where traditional treatments have failed.
2. Physical Therapy & Exercises
A well-planned rehabilitation program includes:
- Stretching exercises: This is done to relieve muscle tension.
- Strengthening exercises: Mainly concentrating on forearm muscles to improve grip strength.
- Massage therapy: This is done to increase blood circulation and promote healing.
3. Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate blood flow and break down scar tissue, reducing pain and improving mobility.
4. Bracing & Support
- Custom elbow braces or forearm bands help distribute pressure evenly, reducing strain on the affected tendon and aiding in recovery. This is considered as one of the main remedies for tennis elbow.
Why Choose Regencare for Tennis Elbow Treatment?
- At Regencare, every patient receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific condition and recovery goals. With expertise in regenerative medicine, we offer the latest non-surgical therapies to promote healing and restore function. Our innovative treatments, including PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and GFC (Growth Factor Concentrate) therapy, BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate), SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction), Autologous Conditioned Serum, Autologous Cultured Osteoblast, Stem cell therapy, provide long-term relief by enhancing the body’s natural repair mechanisms and this is one of the best way to treat tennis elbow. To ensure a comprehensive recovery, we also provide rehabilitation support, incorporating physical therapy and strengthening exercises to improve mobility, reduce pain, and prevent future injuries.
How to Prevent Tennis Elbow?
Preventive measures can significantly reduce the risk of developing Tennis Elbow. Here’s how:
1. Proper Warm-Ups & Stretches: You can involve in gentle stretching exercises for the forearm before any physical activity. Then gradually increase activity levels thus we can avoid sudden stress on the tendons.
2. Ergonomic Adjustments: You also have to Use proper grip techniques in sports and daily activities. Also use ergonomic workstations to minimize strain from computer use.
3. Strengthening Exercises: Light resistance training should be done for forearm muscles. Wrist flexion and extension exercises should be included to enhance muscle endurance.
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