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).
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: January 28, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedics Kenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma | |
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