PAIN ON THE OUTER SIDE OF ELBOW

This is the most common injury associated with tennis. The outer side of the elbow is vulnerable, since these muscles are not used in everyday activities.

The outer side of the elbow is the area of attachment for muscles that extend (straighten) the elbow and the wrist and outwardly stabilize the forearm and wrist in rotation during the backhand stroke. When any of these muscles are strained, as when the ball contacts the racquet, pain will be felt at the outer side of the elbow.

REST: Discontinue tennis for 38 hours, as soon as you feel pain. Apply ice for 20 minute periods. After 38 hours, apply local heat as in a whirlpool bath...this increases tissue metabolism and circulation - beneficial for healing.

RECOVERY: Have your tennis pro evaluate your stroke. You might be hitting the ball too late...thus overloading your elbow. You may also be using your arm as the source of power instead of your trunk and legs.

Use the tennis elbow guard when playing and when not playing. It will minimize further injury. (The guard works by compressing the muscles, thus producing a counterforce which limits the overload below the injury producing level.)


PAIN ON INNER SIDE OF ELBOW:

The muscles attached to the inside of the elbow are responsible for bending the elbow and wrist. These muscles are used frequently in everyday activities such as...bringing food to the mouth, or picking up objects. Since these muscles are strong, tennis injuries to the inner side of the elbow are less common.

This injury is associated with both the forehand stroke and the serve...but the serve is more often to blame. During the serve, as the elbow starts to extend and the wrist snaps forward, muscles are pulled from their attachment on the inner side of the elbow, causing inflammation and tearing.

REST: This pain is harder to heal, simply because we use these muscles more frequently. Be sure to wear this elbow guard when playing and when not playing to minimize further injury. Follow the recommendation above, under "rest."

RECOVERY: Have both the forehand and service strokes evaluated by a tennis pro. In both these strokes, the arm is used as the power source instead of the trunk and legs.

Follow the above recommendation on rehabilitation exercises. Imitate a forehand shot with weight and the service motion...depending which is causing the pain.

CAUTION: DO NOT EXERCISE OR PLAY WHEN IN PAIN. THIS WILL ONLY FURTHER PROLONG YOUR INJURY.