People with tennis elbow needed for study

University of Queensland researchers are seeking people with pain on the outer side of the elbow (a condition known as “tennis elbow”) for an ongoing study.

Senior lecturer in physiotherapy and research team leader Dr Bill Vicenzino said tennis elbow was a common problem in the community.

“It can be aggravated by gripping activities and direct pressure over the site,” he said.

“In most cases there is a significant interference with a pain-free active lifestyle. For example, some people have pain and difficulty lifting a cup of tea, teapot or iron. In severe cases there is marked limitation of arm use and function.

“Surprisingly this ailment does not only occur in tennis players. In fact, most sufferers do not play tennis. Tennis elbow is likely caused by activities involving repetitive gripping actions of the hands over a prolonged period of time. However, there are many sufferers of this condition who do not recall participating in such activities.”

The project is seeking volunteers aged 18 to 65 with pain in one elbow, aggravated by activities such as gripping, squeezing, lifting objects or even playing sports.

Participants would be required to come to The Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury Research Unit, Physiotherapy Department, University of Queensland, St Lucia campus (free parking available) for an assessment to determine eligibility.

To be part of this project or for further information, contact Associate Lecturer Michelle Smith (telephone 07 3365 4587, email: m.smith@shrs.uq.edu.au) or Joanne van Zeeland at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2619, email: communications@uq.edu.au).