Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is a repetitive stress injury of the elbow that occurs when the muscles and tendons in the elbow area are torn or damaged.
Tennis elbow is usually caused by repetitive activities that strain the tendons in the elbow area, such as using a manual screwdriver or hitting backhand in tennis.
The following are the most common symptoms of tennis elbow. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- pain, especially over the outside area of the elbow
- pain with wrist movement
The symptoms of tennis elbow may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
Specific treatment for tennis elbow will be determined by your child's physician based on the following:
- your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the injury
- child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
- rest the area
- ice packs to the area
- stretching and strengthening exercises
- wearing an elbow strap called a counterforce brace
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen (NSAIDs)
Some tips for preventing injury include the following:
- Perform warm-up and cool-down exercises before and after tennis play that includes stretching the muscles in the arm.
- Use appropriately-sized tennis equipment. Racquet handles and heads that are too big or too small or strings that are too tight or too loose can put more stress on the elbow.
- Evaluate poor tennis technique that may be contributing to the problem. Learn new ways to play that avoid repeated stress on the joints.
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Online Resources of Common Childhood Injuries & Poisonings
© 2007 Montefiore Medical Center
