Who Is Affected by Tennis Elbow
Up to 3% of the general population get
tennis elbow.1 Playing tennis
is only one of many activities that can result in this tendon injury. Frequent
twisting movements of the hand, wrist, or forearm usually cause tennis elbow.
These are motions you use in everyday actions, such as using a screwdriver,
digging in a garden, and playing racquet sports. A direct blow to the outer
elbow can also cause tendon damage.
- Tennis elbow can occur at any age, but it usually
occurs in adults, most commonly affecting people in their 40s.1
- Tennis elbow appears most frequently in the
dominant arm—for example, your right arm if you are right-handed.
Tennis elbow is common in people who play racquet sports,
including tennis. Tennis elbow in tennis players is usually caused by using the
wrong technique or equipment that does not fit a person's body or strength (for
example, too large of a grip on the racquet).
Citations
-
Buchbinder R, et al. (2008). Tennis elbow, search date
August 2006. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence:
http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
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By
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Healthwise Staff |
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Primary Medical Reviewer
|
William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
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Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
David Bardana, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine |
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Last Revised
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January 21, 2011 |
Last Revised:
January 21, 2011
Buchbinder R, et al. (2008). Tennis elbow, search date
August 2006. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence:
http://www.clinicalevidence.com.