Tennis elbow is characterized by soreness or pain on the outside of the upper arm near the elbow. There may be a partial tear of the tendon fibers which joins the muscle to bone near their point of origin on the outside of the elbow.
The diagnosis is made based on signs and symptoms given that x-rays usually appears normal. There will often be pain or tenderness when the tendon is gently pressed near where it attaches to the upper arm bone, over the outside of the elbow.
This injury is due to repeated motions of the wrist or forearm. The injury is typically associated with tennis playing, hence the name “tennis elbow.” However, any activity that involves repetitive twisting of the wrist for example, using a screwdriver can lead to this condition.
Treatments include heat therapy, local injection of cortisone and numbing medication, physical therapy and pulsed ultrasound to break up scar tissue which promotes healing and increases blood flow to the afflicted area.
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