Do I have tennis elbow?

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.

Understanding the symptoms is where most everyone would start. There are two kinds: "tennis elbow" and "golfer's elbow." Tennis elbow is located on the outside of the elbow; golfer's elbow is on the inside. (I don't golf, so I only concern myself with the former.) By pressing on the outside of the arm near the elbow, you should feel the pain when applying pressure. I had trouble lifting a gallon of milk from the refrigerator, and some people say they feel it when scooping out their cat's litter box or changing gears on their stickshift. Pain may increase in the evening and make sleep difficult. My elbow was very stiff and painful in the morning.

The following info is from WebMD.com:Tennis elbow pain:

• Usually occurs in the dominant arm (your right arm if you are right-handed, left arm if you are left-handed).

• Affects the outside of the elbow (the side away from your body). Pain increases when that area is pressed or when you are grasping or twisting objects.

• May increase in the evening and make sleep difficult. The elbow might be stiff in the morning.

• Eventually occurs with mild activity, such as picking up a coffee cup; turning a jar lid, doorknob, or key; or shaking hands. Simply starting your car could hurt.You may even have pain when you aren't using your elbow.

..............................................................................................................................................................

My take on knowing if you have tennis elbow:

You'll know . . . it's on the outside elbow area of your hitting arm. I thought because I could still play that meant that maybe it was something else. I've talked with a few people who found that the way they use their computer mouse affects it as well. The deal is that you've strained or injured the tendons that connect to the elbow from the forearm. You can feel it by twisting your hand or forearm. In my case, I could feel something up in my shoulder area, too.

Make a fist and squeeze your hand. If you feel pain in your elbow area, you probably have tennis elbow.

..............................................................................................................................................................