Tennis Elbow Surgery & Treatment in San Antonio

what is tennis elbow?

Tennis Elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common cause of elbow pain. It occurs when repetitive motions, such as gripping, lifting, or twisting, cause irritation or inflammation of the tendons attached to the forearm muscles. Despite its name, you don’t have to play tennis to develop this condition. It is often experienced by people who use their hands and wrists frequently, including those who work at a computer, lift objects, or perform manual labor. Eventually, this overuse can tear the tendon, causing pain, tenderness, and weakness in the arm. You may be able to avoid surgery if you receive early treatment to prevent the condition from worsening.

Causes of Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow occurs when repetitive motion and overuse strain the tendons connecting your forearm muscles to the outside of your elbow (lateral epicondyle). Repeated stress can cause tiny tears in the tendon, resulting in inflammation, pain, and weakness over time.

While athletes can develop tennis elbow from racquet sports, it’s just as common in people whose jobs or hobbies involve repetitive arm movements, such as:

• Gripping or lifting heavy objects

• Using hand tools or gardening equipment

• Typing or working at a computer for long hours

• Painting, carpentry, or mechanical work

Even everyday activities can contribute to tennis elbow if performed repetitively without adequate rest or proper technique.

Signs and Symptoms of Tennis Elbow

Symptoms of tennis elbow usually develop gradually and begin as mild discomfort before progressing to more constant pain. In most cases, the pain becomes worse with activity or with gripping, lifting, or twisting. Common symptoms include:

• Pain or tenderness on the outer side of the elbow

• Weak grip strength, especially when shaking hands or holding objects

• Discomfort that worsens with wrist or forearm movement

• Stiffness in the elbow, particularly in the morning

• Pain that radiates down the forearm toward the wrist

If your symptoms persist for more than a few weeks or begin to affect your daily activities, you may need to see an orthopedic elbow specialist.