Lateral epicondilite, or tennis elbow, is an inflammation of the tendons of the wrist extender muscles caused by the repetitive stress of these muscles, most common after age 30.
This injury is more common among workers who perform very repetitive movements in their daily lives, such as those who need to type, write or draw, but it also affects people who train in the gym more than 5 times a week and tennis players.
- Lateral epicondilite is curable and treatment should be done with the combination of medication and physiotherapy.
- Which.
- In the most severe cases.
- May also include surgery; only about 20% require surgical treatment.
Symptoms of lateral epicondylitis can appear for no apparent reason and include:
Symptoms appear gradually for weeks or months and should be evaluated by your family doctor or orthopedic surgeon, or by the physical therapist who may also make your diagnosis.
Treatment of lateral epicondlite can last from 8 weeks to a few months and is usually done with:
During treatment, it is recommended to rest from activities that have triggered the pain, so it is recommended to reduce the pace of training in the gym and avoid sports such as tennis, golf, volleyball or handball, for example.
Physical therapy can help control pain and improve movement and should be indicated by the physical therapist. Some resources that can be used are equipment that fights inflammation, such as tension, ultrasound, laser, shock waves, and iontophoresis. The use of ice blocks and strengthening and stretching. Exercises as well as cross massage techniques are also helpful in speeding up healing.
Shock wave therapy is particularly appropriate when epicondlite is chronic and persists for more than 6 months, with no improvement with medication, physiotherapy and rest In the most severe cases or when symptoms last more than a year, even after initiation of treatment, surgery for epicondylite may be appropriate.
See how to do this massage correctly and how food can help in the following video: