Tennis elbow care in Wimbledon

As I now consult in Wimbledon, I expect I will soon see tennis elbow cases in clinic, not because of the famous tennis club nearby but because it is unfortunately a common musculoskeletal condition. I suffered from it a couple of years ago and know how frustrating the discomfort can be. I was lucky to be surrounded by osteopathic colleagues who helped me through it without the use of any medication nor injection.

Even though this condition is known as "tennis elbow"(or "lateral epicondylitis"), one can suffer from it and not play any racquet sport. Rather it is due to an excessive pull on a small tendon used by a number of muscles attaching on the lateral corner of the elbow and used to extend the wrist and fingers. In the past, this condition was also called "writer’s cramp". It is quite common in the middle-age population and I have seen it in writers, racquet sport players and decorators. Any repetitive movement of the wrist could cause it. Usually the pain develops slowly and the sufferer ends up having difficulties holding objects such as a full kettle.

Medically, it is possible to have steroid injected at the site of pain but please be aware that this actually stops the inflammation, precursor stage of any tissue repair and the pain might come back a few month later.

I use a wide range of therapeutic techniques to treat tennis elbow including massage and manipulation. To ensure a long term resolution, I also look at the whole posture to ensure that there is no issue with the back, shoulder, arm and wrist that could have contributed to the condition.

If you are starting to feel pain at the elbow and have difficulty lifting objects, think about the help osteopathy can provide you.

Ref: Atkins, E., Kerr, J. & Goodlad, E. (2010) 'A practical approach to orthopaedic medicine. Assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Third edition'. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier