Tennis Elbow
A health condition most often associated with playing arm trauma, elbow has been diagnosed for patients who have never practiced the sport in their lives. The formal name encountered for this condition in medical books is lateral epicondylitis which translates into popular language as the inflammation of the outside elbow bone. Many doctors believe that this condition is rather a problem triggered by middle age than by playing or excessive use of the elbow. So, it seems, there are no specific pieces of evidence to support that is the real cause of this problem. Yet, the fact that it is pretty common among players has brought the name and the reputation. There are some specific symptoms that allow for the identification of the problem. First of all, elbow causes pain in the outer part of the elbow and the appearance of a tender point in the upper part of the elbow bone. Moreover, when performing such actions as wrist turning and object lifting you may feel pain not only in the elbow but also in the wrist. Last but not least, many people who think they experience

tennis elbow also complain about having their elbow and wrist stiff in the morning when they wake up. Only a doctor can give a legitimate diagnosis. The most common tests for the identification of elbow is radiography and MRI. Apparently, surgery does not fix the problem as the radiographies are not very evidence-wise as to stating whether surgery is definitely needed and likely to be successful. However there are treatments that can be followed and that have brought improvement in the case of many elbow patients. Among the many options for treatment to be resorted to we can mention the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, the application of heat or ice and the wearing of a special elbow strap to make sure that strain on the elbow will be reduced. The strap would most likely work as a prevention method as by wearing it you would avoid your elbow receiving even more damage than it has already suffered. Acupuncture, the use of splints for immobilizing the forearm and elbow, cortisone shots or ultrasound treatments represent only a few other medical approaches to the elbow condition.