tennis elbow

Our user asked: "I am a personal trainer. I have a client who had tennis elbow. She completed the cortisone shot, rest and the physical therapy exercises. After 6 weeks, we just tried 3.5 lb. bicep curls, but a few hours later, this seemed to aggravate the tennis elbow. When if ever can we resume weight training?"

Ask a PT Response: "For my patients with tennis elbow a progression of strengthening exercises are always recommended. Exercise progression includes isometric strengthening -> light isotonic or resistive band strengthening -> mod isotonic or resistive band strengthening -> simulated functional activity strengthening. You mentioned you had your client perform bicep curls at 3.5lbs which aggravated her condition despite being 6 wks out after the injection. I am surprised this would have aggravated her condition that much. Were you having her utilize cables or tubing for this exercise? Often times with utilizing cables/tubing or other equipment, if the patient is not performing the exercise correctly and kicks in the muscles at the wrist or forearm to assist with lifting this will result in an exacerbation of the condition secondary to further irritation of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. It probably would be best for you to have you client rest and gradually work on strengthening as I had mentioned. If she isn't improving it might be a good idea to have her seen her ortho again or have her see a PT. Some treatment options for a PT can be found on http://www.cyberpt.com/cptcondtrt4tenelbow.asp"