Since I’ve been back in Brisbane I’ve been surprised at how many cases of Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow (medically known as lateral and medial epicondylitis, respectively) have presented at the clinic. In cooler climates it tends to show a seasonal variation, that is, when summer was approaching many people were returning to the golf course and tennis courts for the first time since the previous season and this sudden increase in activity created an overload on the de-conditioned muscles of the forearm and elbow.
This sudden return to reasonably high-impact activities is one of the main historical features of this condition’s presentation. Thankfully the Brisbane winters aren’t that harsh which affords us the opportunity to play these sports, and many others, all year round. However, those of you among us who have jumped in the deep-end after a long lay-off may find yourselves with a pain in the elbow- not just when playing these sports, but it can be felt anytime you grip, hold, twist or turn with the elbow or wrist.