Who is affected by tennis elbow

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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 between the ages of 40 and 60, most commonly affecting people in their 40s.²
• 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).

References

Citations

1. Assendelft W, et al. (2005). Tennis elbow. Clinical Evidence (14): 1561–1569.

2. Klippel JH, et al. (1999). Pain in the elbow. In Primary Care Rheumatology, pp. 79–81. London: Mosby.

Credits

Last updated:	February 14, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, David Pichora, MD, FRCSC - Orthopedic Surgery
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman