Tennis elbow is a painful condition occurring when repetitive motions of the wrist and arm overwork tendons in the elbow.
Causes are due to overuse and muscle strain. Repeated motions and stress to the tissues may result in a series of tiny tears in the tendons attaching the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. Activities leading to causes may include golf, racket sports, throwing sports, weight lifting, or other wrist bearing activities.
Pain associated may radiate from the outside of the elbow into the forearm and wrist. It may be difficult to shake hands, turn a doorknob, or hold a cup.
A.M.I.T. ® Explanation: Pain that occurs on the outside of the elbow is caused by inhibition of the wrist extensor muscles, inflammation of the periosteal tendon insertions (enthesis) of the extensor muscles (extensor carpi radialis longus, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi ulnaris, and extensor digitorum) or over development of the anterior shoulder muscles. Correction of this condition is accomplished by reactivating the extensor muscles and exercising the posterior shoulder muscles.