What is tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and sensitive. It is usually caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons in the forearm that attach to the lateral epicondyle, a bony bump on the external region of the elbow. This overuse can lead to small tears in the tendons, which can cause inflammation and pain. It is common in tennis and golf players but also can happen in people that make repetitive motions with their arms. Symptoms of tennis elbow include pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow, weakness in the forearm, limited range of motion, and pain that worsens with movements like gripping or lifting.
Effectiveness of Shockwave Therapy in patients with tennis elbow
Shockwave therapy is a clinically proven treatment for tennis elbow that promotes tissue repair and reduces pain and inflammation. The high-energy sound waves generated by the shockwave therapy device are transmitted to the affected area, stimulating blood flow and promoting the formation of new blood vessels. This increased blood flow can help to bring oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tendons, which helps to speed up the healing process.
Shockwave therapy can also help to break down scar tissue, which could form in response to the small tears in the tendons that occur with tennis elbow. Also, the high-energy sound waves can help to improve the flexibility and strength of the muscles and tendons in the affected arm.
A recent study shows that the shockwave can stimulate the production of collagen, a protein in our body that is essential for tissue regeneration. Th e process can cause the formation of new and healthy tissue in the damaged area, which may reduce the pain caused by the tennis elbow and improve its range of motion. The treatment may help to prevent the need for more invasive treatments such as surgery.
What can I expect from the shockwave treatment for my tennis elbow?
The treatment protocol for shockwave therapy for tennis elbow usually consists of 8 or 12 sessions, each session will last from 30 to 45 minutes. Beside the shockwave therapy treatment, we will combine other physiotherapy techniques, including IFC, heating, manual therapy and stretching.
At Pro Fusion Rehab, all our physiotherapists are fully licensed with years of experience in treating tennis elbow and other injuries in sports; they received expert training and education for the shockwave device. If you are seeking shockwave therapy treatment nearby, feel free to contact us, and one of our team members will be more than happy to assist you.
References:
- Serbanescu, M. (2018, December 31). The Effectiveness of Shockwave Therapy in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis. Current Health Sciences Journal. Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://www.chsjournal.org/article/44/4/8/
- Stania, M. (2021, November 9). A comparative study of the efficacy of radial and focused shock wave therapy for tennis elbow depending on symptom duration. https://www.archivesofmedicalscience.com/A-comparative-study-of-the-efficacy-of-radial-and-focused-shock-wave-therapy-for,102255,0,2.html