By Bob Russo, M.S., A.T.C.

The Importance of the Elbows in Tennis:

What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is a condition associated with pain and soreness around the outer aspect of the elbow. Chronic overload of the wrist extensors (the muscles responsible for bending the wrist back) is associated with tennis elbow. Initially, a player should avoid the motions which recreate the pain.

What causes tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow pain most often results from overload while performing a backhand stroke. Consider having a tennis professional review your stroke mechanics.

How can you prevent tennis elbow?
The development of tennis elbow is more likely in the unskilled player than the skilled player. There are multiple explanations for the above observation. The differential incidence of tennis elbow in the skilled and unskilled tennis player is largely due to faulty backhand stroke mechanics in the unskilled player. In addition, a skilled player will have less miss-hits. Miss-hits will result in increase vibration and potential chronic overload of the muscle-tendon unit involved in tennis elbow. Generally, a total body stretching and strengthening program needs to be implemented in order to play in an optimal fashion. Specifically, stretching and strengthening the wrist extensors are critical.

How can you treat tennis elbow?
Many physicians will recommend cortisone injections for the treatment of tennis elbow. However, I rarely will use cortisone in my practice. I believe strongly that a player should perform a good basic conditioning program and practice their stroke mechanics in order to hopefully avoid tennis elbow. If tennis elbow develops despite the above measures, controlled rest and a specific physical therapy program should be employed. If cortisone injections are to be utilized, no more than 3 injections should be given in one year. If the first injection provides little or no relief, I would recommend avoiding another injection.