What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is swelling of the tendons that bend your wrist backward away from your palm.
A tendon is a tough cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones. The tendon most likely involved in tennis elbow is called the exterior carpi radialis brevis. Tennis elbow is usually diagnosed in both men and women between ages 30 to 50.
What causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, as the name implies, is often caused by the force of the tennis racket hitting balls in the backhand position. Your forearm muscles, which attach to the outside of your elbow, may become sore from excessive strain. When making a backhand stroke in tennis, the tendons that roll over the end of our elbow can become damaged. Tennis elbow may be caused by:
- Incorrect backhand stroke
- Weak shoulder and wrist muscles
- Using a tennis racket that is too tightly strung or too short
- Other racquet sports, like racquetball or squash
- Hitting the ball off center on the racket, or hitting heavy, wet balls