Kristian Ferrell
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that affects the tendons in the arm, causing pain at the elbow. It is commonly suffered by tennis players, but it can also affect badminton players due to the similar use of the wrist and elbow in both sports. The incorrect backhand action is the main cause of tennis elbow in badminton players. Treatment for tennis elbow involves controlling pain, strengthening wrist muscles, correcting technical faults, and resting the affected area. So, while it is possible to continue playing badminton with tennis elbow, it is important to address the condition through proper treatment and rehabilitation to prevent further injury and manage pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is tennis elbow? | A condition that causes pain on the lateral aspect of the elbow |
| Medical term | Lateral epicondylitis |
| Cause | Repeated tearing due to improper exertion of force or overuse, causing inflammation |
| Age of onset | 35-50 years |
| Treatment | Ice or cold therapy, rest, wear a brace or support, sports massage, stretching, strengthening wrist muscles, correcting technical faults, gripping technique |
| Prevention | Maintaining a training diary, avoiding overtraining, correct backhand technique, correct grip size, properly strung rackets |
| Risk factors | Playing badminton, golf, or tennis, lifting or pulling heavy objects, using wrists to twist with a lot of effort |
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What You'll Learn
Tennis elbow causes
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. It is often due to damage to a specific forearm muscle (ECRB), which helps stabilize the wrist when the elbow is straight. This muscle can be weakened by overuse, leading to microscopic tears in the ECRB tendon, resulting in pain.
The condition is commonly associated with tennis players, as the name suggests, but it can also affect those who participate in other racquet sports, such as badminton, and other activities that involve repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscle or repetitive extension of the wrist and hand. These activities include painting, plumbing, carpentry, auto work, cooking, and butchery.
Improper stroke technique and equipment can also increase the risk of developing tennis elbow. For example, in tennis, an incorrect backhand technique, an improper grip, or a badly strung racket can all contribute to the condition. Similarly, in badminton, using a small grip can mean that the muscles in the elbow have to work harder, leading to structural changes in the tendon.
The symptoms of tennis elbow usually develop gradually, with pain starting as mild discomfort and slowly worsening over time. The pain may range from mild discomfort when moving the arm to constant pain that can disrupt sleep. The dominant arm is most often affected, but both arms can experience symptoms.
If you suspect you have tennis elbow, it is important to rest the affected arm and avoid activities that cause pain. Treatment options include applying ice or cold therapy, wearing a brace or support, and doing gentle exercises to strengthen the elbow. In some cases, medical intervention may be required, such as anti-inflammatory medication or, in severe cases, surgery.
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Treatment options
Ice or Cold Therapy
Applying ice or cold therapy to the elbow for 20 minutes, up to six times a day, can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. This is especially effective in the early stages of injury and after sports massage treatments.
Rest
Taking a break from activities that cause pain is essential. This may include refraining from playing badminton or tennis, and avoiding heavy lifting or gripping objects tightly for extended periods.
Brace or Support
Wearing an elbow brace or support can provide protection to the tendon while it heals. The brace should be placed approximately 10 cm down the forearm, rather than directly on the painful area.
Exercise and Stretching
A comprehensive exercise program, including stretching, is crucial in the rehabilitation process. Maintaining overall fitness through activities that do not stress the elbow, such as cycling or running, is recommended as long as it is pain-free.
Sports Massage
Sports massage can aid in stimulating healing and relaxing tight, knotted muscles that may increase strain at the elbow. Massage should be applied lightly at first, below pain levels, and after the acute stage of injury.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines
Doctors may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce pain and swelling.
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Prevention techniques
It is important to take precautions to prevent injuries like tennis elbow. Here are some techniques to prevent tennis elbow when playing badminton:
Firstly, ensure that you have the correct equipment. This includes choosing the right racket for you, with a suitable grip size and string tension. A small grip means the muscles in the elbow have to work harder, which can lead to structural changes in the tendon. Avoid stiff shaft rackets and high tensions, instead, opt for a flexible shaft and start with lower tensions, building up gradually. It is also important to learn the proper way to grip the racket, with a reasonably loose grip, to avoid overusing your joints, muscles and tendons.
Secondly, focus on your technique. Do not try to hit the shuttle as hard as you can, but instead, use your whole body, including your hips, elbow, forearm and fingers. Do not force your body to stop the stroke after striking the shuttle, instead, follow through by tensing your grip as you strike and then immediately relaxing. Learn the correct form and footwork, and do not overdo the number of hours you play, especially when starting out.
Thirdly, take care of your body. Warm up, stretch and do a proper cool-down before and after playing. Try some gentle stretches recommended by professionals, such as the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. You can also do exercises like yoga to increase your flexibility and strength. Listen to your body, and if you feel slight soreness or pain, take a break and reduce the frequency of your badminton sessions. Wearing an elbow sleeve can also help to support your elbow and reduce the risk of injury.
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Risk factors
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that can occur in anyone who repeatedly uses their elbow, wrist, and hands. It is characterised by pain located at the lateral aspect of the elbow, caused by overuse or improper exertion of force, damaging the connecting point between the muscle tendons and bone at the beginning of the forearm muscles. This results in inflammation and micro-tearing of the tendon.
- Overuse or repetitive strain: Tennis elbow is commonly associated with repeated use of the elbow, wrist, and hands in activities such as lifting, pulling heavy objects, or using the wrist with significant force, such as in sports like badminton and tennis. The risk is not limited to athletes, as even everyday activities like cooking or squeezing a towel can contribute to the condition.
- Age: While tennis elbow can affect individuals of any age, it most commonly occurs in individuals between the ages of 35 and 50.
- Incorrect technique: Faulty technique, such as incorrect backhand action in sports like badminton and tennis, can increase the risk of tennis elbow. This includes factors such as incorrect grip size, backhand technique, and poorly strung rackets.
- Grip size: A small grip on a racket, for example, can lead to structural changes in the tendon and increase the risk of tennis elbow.
- Inadequate rest and recovery: Insufficient rest between training sessions can contribute to the development of tennis elbow. Maintaining a training diary can help identify instances of overtraining and allow for proper recovery.
- Muscle fatigue and insufficient muscle power: Repeatedly putting the elbow under strain without adequate recovery can lead to muscle fatigue and insufficient muscle power, increasing the risk of inflammation and injury.
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Playing with tennis elbow
Badminton players are particularly susceptible to tennis elbow due to the nature of the sport, which involves repeated use of the elbow, wrist, and hands. The risk is further heightened by factors such as incorrect backhand technique, an improper grip, or badly strung rackets. Playing with an incorrect technique can increase the strain on the elbow and lead to injury or exacerbate existing conditions.
If you continue to play badminton with tennis elbow, you risk aggravating the injury and causing further damage to the tendons and muscles in your elbow. It is important to allow the elbow to rest and recover, as rest is an essential component of healing this type of injury. Attempting to play through the pain may lead to prolonged recovery times and potentially more severe and long-lasting complications.
However, it is possible to continue playing badminton with tennis elbow if you take the necessary precautions and adjust your playing style. Here are some recommendations to consider:
- Apply ice or cold therapy to the elbow for 20 minutes, up to six times a day, to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Wear a brace or support to protect the tendon while it heals. The brace should be placed approximately 10 cm down the forearm, not directly on the painful area.
- Focus on strengthening your wrist muscles and achieving good control to prevent extreme ranges of motion.
- Assess and correct any technical faults in your racquet technique, especially for wrist and arm control in backhand strokes.
- Avoid gripping the racquet too tightly, and focus on using your hand muscles (Duck grip) instead of just your forearm muscles (Finger grip).
- Maintain a training diary to identify if you have been overtraining or using incorrect techniques that may contribute to tennis elbow.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you should not play badminton if you have tennis elbow. Tennis elbow is caused by overuse of the muscles in the elbow, wrist, and hands. Rest is an important component of healing this injury.
Tennis elbow causes pain at the lateral aspect of the elbow. It may also cause weakness in the wrist, making simple tasks such as opening a door handle difficult.
Treatment options include applying ice or cold therapy to the elbow, wearing a brace or support, and strengthening the wrist muscles. It is also important to address any technical faults in your badminton technique that may have caused the injury.
To prevent tennis elbow, ensure that you have a correct badminton technique, especially for backhand strokes. Keep a training diary to identify if you are overtraining and consider doing exercises that do not stress the elbow, such as cycling or running.
