As eyes become glued to the Brisbane International, many avid tennis fans may be sitting on the ticking health time bomb known as tennis elbow.
Researchers at The University of Queensland are currently recruiting subjects to help investigate the effect of different combinations of injections and physiotherapy treatments for tennis elbow.
Chair in Sports Physiotherapy and Head of the Division of Physiotherapy at UQ Professor Bill Vicenzino said tennis elbow was usually brought about by overusing the arm and hand, but could occur in people of all fitness levels.
"For example, it can occur in people who usually do office work and then either do a bout of gardening or renovations at home after hours," he said.
"The pain is noticeable when the patients use his or her hand to manipulate things for example, when shaking hands, lifting a tea cup or pot or even light, one-cup pots, lifting shopping bags, opening doors and pulling up pants.
"Clinical practitioners (physiotherapists and medical practitioners) feel that combining the two treatments gives the best results - as they not only will speed up recovery but prevent injury re-occurring."
Professor Vicenzino said the common musculoskeletal condition presented as pain over the thumb side (outside) of the elbow.
Professor Vicenzino, previously led studies which compared common treatments including steroid injections, physiotherapy and a wait-and-see approach.
The results were published in the British Medical Journal and have helped to provide clinical recommendations for patients and health professionals.
If you have experienced pain on the outside of your elbow for more than six weeks, you may be eligible for a free assessment and treatment.
Sufferers will be required to attend a one-hour assessment at UQ's St Lucia campus to determine their suitability for the study.
People with no history of tennis elbow or other current neck or arm pain are also needed for a single assessment. Results of gripping and arm strength, pressure and temperature measurements will be provided to participants.
For more information and to register your interest in the study please call 3365 4692 or email tenniselbow@uq.edu.au
Media: Eliza Plant at UQ Communications (3365 2619)
