Tennis elbow doesn't just happen to tennis players. It's extremely common and painful, but a new study found that some people could avoid the injury.

Tennis elbow gets its name because it affects a lot of people who play tennis, racquetball and squash. But in reality, it's a degenerative condition that can happen to anyone at any age.

Harry Siak was diagnosed with tennis elbow, although he's never played tennis in his life. His case began when a police dog unexpectedly charged him as he walked across a parking lot.

"So, I kind of hit my face," said Siak. "He hit me on the run, and his skull hit my elbow, and he just latched on to me."

Siak said he felt a tingling in his elbow, which gradually turned into a severe burning pain on his outer elbow. He said he soon lost control of the muscles in his arm.

"I would go to pick up even a half gallon of milk, and my arm would start shaking," he said.

Tennis elbow is actually lateral epicondylitis, a degenerative condition of the tendon responsible for anchoring the muscles that extend or lift the wrist and hand.

"Anything that you're doing with your palm down where your lifting with your palm down is working those muscles and causing irritation," said Allegheny General Hospital orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Hughes.

And anyone can develop that irritation with any repetitive motion.

One study said some people might be more prone because of the way their elbow tendon is attached.

Even so, it can be prevented.

"Don't lift with your palm down," said Hughes. "Lift with your palm facing up to use your flexor muscles more and irritate those less."

Cortisone injections and stretching exercises helped Siak.

"It's working its way out pretty good," he said.

Tennis elbow usually hits people in the 30 to 50 age group. But it can happen at any age. The main thing to remember is that the longer you go without treatment, the tougher it is to treat. So, if ice, braces, or anti-inflammatory medications don't work, see an orthopedic surgeon.