The cause of tennis elbow is not entirely clear, and only about 5% of the people who suffer from tennis elbow are actually tennis players. One school of thought says it is the repeated act of the tennis swing that causes a muscle spasm and subsequent stress on the tendons around the exterior of the elbow. Vibration dampeners do exactly what they say - reduce the vibration you feel come up your arm after hitting the ball. These vibrations are not the cause of tennis elbow, though someone suffering from tennis elbow may be enthusiastic about a reduction of these vibrations felt when hitting the ball. So while it is the impact of the ball on the racquet and motion of the swing that is causing the muscles and tendons to twist and tear around the elbow that is the cause of tennis elbow and not the vibrations of the ball hitting the racquet, vibration dampeners may make you more comfortable while playing if you suffer from tennis elbow by reducing the vibrations you feel.
