Tennis elbow is inflammation, soreness, or pain on the outside (lateral) side of the upper arm near the elbow. With tennis elbow, there may be a partial tear of the tendon fibers, which connect muscle to bone, or the tear may be at or near where these fibers begin, on the outside of the elbow. According to our tennis elbow research, an estimated 70% of kids in tennis training programs suffer serious injury and surgery before the age of 13. Now, that’s a pretty steep number! So we suggest putting your tennis racquet aside for just a moment so we can discuss the tennis elbow epidemic, by the numbers:
- 4 – Most commonly believed causes of tennis elbow: (1) overuse, (2) technique, (3) racquet, (4) direct hit to the side of the elbow or falling on an outstretched arm.
- 0 – Number of conclusive studies on the cause of tennis elbow.
- 1 – Reason there are no tennis elbow studies: no medical or tennis organization has been willing or able to provide necessary funding.
- 3 – Symptoms that signal that you have tennis elbow: When pain (1) slowly increases around the outside of the elbow, (2) is worse when shaking hands or squeezing objects, (3) is made worse when moving the wrist (e.g. using tools, opening jars, or even using a knife and fork).
- 50 – Percent of the tennis-playing public will get tennis elbow at some time in their playing lifetimes.
- 30-50 – Age range you’re most likely to get tennis elbow.
- 3 – Do-it-yourself tennis elbow treatments to try: (1) Rest and avoid tennis, (2) apply ice, (3) take ibuprofen. See a doctor if these self-care steps don’t ease the pain and tenderness.
- 5 – Medical treatments for tennis elbow: (1) physical therapy, (2) forearm bracing, (3) topical anti-inflammatory and cortisone gels, (4) cortisone injections, (5) surgery.
- 5 – Percentage of tennis elbow sufferers who will need surgery.
- 85-90 – Percent of those who undergo surgery actually return to the court at full strength.
- 1 – Stroke that causes symptoms: the backhand.
- 4 – Things you should do when you return to the court: (1) Use the proper tennis racquet, (2) Wear a counter-force brace around the forearm just below the elbow, (3) relax your grip on the handle, (4) pay attention to movements that can cause pain.
(Sources: 1. International Tennis Federation, 2. MayoClinic.com,
3. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 4. EmedicineHealth.com)