Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain and swelling but does not involve tennis games as its name refers. It is also known as Lateral elbow pain. The repetitive use of muscles and tendons can lead to this condition. An Elbow and Forearm Ultrasound and other imaging tests are used to evaluate the condition and determine the inflamed tendon. It affects the tendons and muscles of the forearm that are connected to the outer side of the elbow. 

This article will help you learn how tennis elbow is formed and how to diagnose the affected tendons and muscles using sonography.

What Are the Causes of a Tennis Elbow?

When you move your arm in the same direction incorrectly, it affects the arm tendons and muscles. Overdoing of such activity brings on multiple symptoms, such as pain and swelling. Sometimes, appropriately performing an exercise can cause small tears. Multiple activities can lead to tennis elbow, such as swimming, gardening, painting, holding scissors, cutting tough food, etc. If you perform such an activity and experience pain, the first step is to get some rest and avoid moving your elbow or arm in the same direction repeatedly, or it can lead to severe bone issues.

How to Diagnose Tennis Elbow?

Appearance of symptoms like pain and swelling often indicate that you may have developed tennis elbow. Experiencing these symptoms for a long time can cause serious discomfort. To release the pain and swelling, you need to see a healthcare provider. Professionals use multiple imaging tests to determine the causing factor of pain and swelling in your forearm. But first, your doctor will ask some simple questions about your routine habits or if you are performing any exercise. 

Doctors often suggest sonography to get dynamic imaging of tendons and muscles. A transducer is used to send the sound waves inside the body. An elbow ultrasound is an effective technique to completely evaluate the ligaments, nerves, and tendons, according to NCBI. It gives a complete and detailed view of elbow and forearm muscles. Professionals may need some other imaging tests if the tennis elbow is chronic.

What are the Possible Tennis Elbow Treatments?

If you have a severe condition, you should get medical help. From mild to moderate pain, you can follow some necessary steps, such as:

Rest: If an overdoing activity causes tennis elbow, a short break can help to release pain and swelling. Repeated movement can cause small tears that lead to serious discomfort and make it difficult to move your forearm. Taking a break from your activity can help in healing your tendons, soft tissues, and muscles. 

Ultrasound Therapy: When a probe is placed on your forearm for a specific period, the sound waves cause a warm feeling that releases pain and swelling. It is known as ultrasound therapy. To increase the healing process, doctors perform this therapy as it gives effective results.

Ice: You may have heard about ice and its effective release of pain and inflammation. When you feel pain in your forearm or any area around your elbow, you can place some ice. Make sure you wrap ice in a clean cloth, or it can burn your skin.

NSAIDs: Using anti-inflammatory drugs can help in releasing inflammation and pain. But if you have an underlying condition, make sure you discuss it with your doctor before taking any medicine.

Physical Therapy: Therapists help you perform some exercises to strengthen your muscles in the forearm to provide support to your elbow.

You should discuss it with your doctor if you experience severe pain along with other symptoms.

How to Prevent a Tennis Elbow?

The following tips can prevent tennis elbow:

• You should be icing your elbow after doing an intense physical activity.
• Give rest to your arms to retain their energy.
• Always use proper technique while performing exercise or while playing a sport.
• Perform some strength-boosting exercises to increase the movement of your arms and elbows.

The Bottom Line

An advanced ultrasound tool helps to provide more clear and dynamic real-time results. If you experience pain or swelling in your forearm or area around your elbow, you should not avoid it but seek medical help. We at RIZ Ultrasound offer quality services of Elbow and Forearm Ultrasound in Glasgow to evaluate the condition. Our professionals work hard to provide a comfortable environment for our patients.

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