Tennis Elbow Specialist
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South Bay Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgeons & Internists located in San Jose, CA
Tennis elbow doesn’t just affect athletes, and it can be caused by a variety of factors. Dr. Samir Sharma and Dr. Kavita Sharma are a husband and wife team practicing at South Bay Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, where they provide quality treatments for tennis elbow in San Jose, California. The South Bay Orthopedic specialists prioritize patient recovery and work diligently to improve your mobility, activity level, and overall wellness through regenerative, orthopedic, and sports medicine with a personal touch. Call or book an appointment online to learn more.
Tennis Elbow Q & A
What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition where the tendons of your elbow are strained and often damaged, usually due to repetitive and excessive motions. The resulting pain occurs where the tendons of your forearm muscles connect to the bony bump on the outer side of your elbow.
Tennis elbow causes pain, weakness, swelling of the elbow, and inhibited functioning.
While the common name does imply that the condition affects athletes and tennis players, anyone can experience tennis elbow.
What causes tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow is typically caused by overuse and muscle strain. The repeated contraction of your forearm muscles can stress the tissue and result in small tendon tears, irritation, and inflammation.
Certain factors increase your risk for tennis elbow, such as:
- Age
- Weight-lifting
- Engaging in certain sports and high-impact physical activities
- Occupations that involve repetitive motions of the arm or wrist, such as athletes, painters, plumbers, musicians, and cooks
Any activity that strains your muscles can lead to tennis elbow. The most common symptom to look out for is an aching that turns into a persistent chronic pain.
How is tennis elbow treated?
The South Bay Orthopedic medical team provide an array of successful treatments for tennis elbow, depending on the severity of your condition. Your South Bay provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and uses imaging technology, such as X-rays, to diagnose and determine the severity of your tennis elbow.
Sometimes, watchful waiting is sufficient and tennis elbow can get better over time with careful monitoring by a medical professional.
Most cases of tennis elbow improve with specific exercises tailored to you. Performing these exercises and learning proper techniques to move your arm during certain activities can prevent you from getting tennis elbow in the future.
Other treatments for tennis elbow include:
- Rest
- Heat and ice packs
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories
- Surgery to repair tears and other damage
If you have tennis elbow, find relief with the South Bay Orthopedic medical team. Call the office today or schedule your consultation online.