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Tennis elbow is a condition that results in pain around the outside of the elbow.[/size][size=1]
It often occurs after strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, near the elbow joint.[/size][size=1]
As its name suggests, tennis elbow is sometimes caused by playing tennis. However, it is usually caused by a number of other physical activities. See [url="http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tennis-elbow/Pages/Causes.aspx"]Tennis elbow - causes[/url] for more information.[/size][size=1]
The medical name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. This is because the pain usually occurs on the bony lump on the outside of the elbow, known as the lateral epicondyle.[/size][size=1]
Pain can also occur on the inner side of the elbow, which is known as golfer's elbow.[/size]
[b] The elbow joint[/b]
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The elbow joint is surrounded by muscles that move the elbow, wrist and fingers. The tendons in your elbow join the bones and muscles together and control the muscles of your forearm around the lateral epicondyle.[/size][size=1]
When a person gets tennis elbow, one or more of the tendons in their elbow becomes painful. The pain occurs at the point where the tendons of the forearm muscle attach to the bone. Twisting movements, such as turning a door handle or opening the lid of a jar, are particularly painful.[/size][size=1]
In around three quarters of cases of tennis elbow, the dominant hand (the one that is used the most) is affected.[/size]
[b] How common is tennis elbow?[/b]
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Tennis elbow is fairly uncommon. Approximately five in every 1,000 adults in the UK are affected by the condition each year.[/size][size=1]
Tennis elbow usually occurs in adults. Men and woman are affected equally. The condition tends to affect people who are around 40 years old.[/size]
[b] Outlook[/b]
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Tennis elbow is a self-limiting condition. This means that in most cases the symptoms eventually improve and clear up without treatment.[/size][size=1]
Anti-inflammatory painkillers can often reduce mild pain that is caused by tennis elbow. However, if your pain is severe or prolonged, a corticosteroid injection may be recommended.[/size][size=1]
Occasionally, surgery may be used to treat very severe and persistent cases of tennis elbow.[/size][size=1]
Most cases of tennis elbow last between six months and two years. However, in around 9 out of 10 cases, a full recovery is made within one year.[/size]