Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow Treatment and Surgery in Wayne & Paramus, NJ

Lateral epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow, is a condition of the elbow that often causes pain on the outside of the elbow with lifting, gripping and activities that involve wrist extension.

The humerus of the upper arm and the radius and ulna of the forearm meet to form the elbow joint. The elbow is surrounded by many different ligaments, vessels, nerves, muscles, and tendons. One tendon in particular contributes to the pain experienced by a patient with tennis elbow. This tendon originates on the outside of the elbow on the lateral epicondyle and turns into the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. This muscle is in charge of wrist extension. When this tendon experiences a significant amount of force and repetitive strain it can develop microtears that lead to tennis elbow. Tennis players may be predisposed to developing this condition, but it is common in many different athletes. It is also common among patients who have occupations that involve repetitive motion of the wrist and elbow, such as painters and plumbers.