Causes and Risk Factors of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow affects up to 3% of people, mainly between the ages of 30 and 50. Any activity that strains the muscles around the elbow over and over again can cause tennis elbow. In tennis, hitting a backhand puts some pressure on the forearm muscles, which contract when you hit the ball. If your technique doesn't work or if you grip the racket too hard, you put more stress on the tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to the elbow. That can cause small tears in the tendons. You can get tennis elbow when playing other racquet sports, such as squash or racquetball. You can also get it from jobs or activities that involve repetitive arm movements, such as: Cutting trees with a chainsaw Picture Carpentry Play some types of musical instruments. Kitchen work, such as cutting with a knife. Plumbing Working on cars Working on an assembly line A direct blow to the elbow can also cause the tendons to swell. Tennis elbow diagnosis Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical...