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Tennis Elbow: Racquet Not Required |
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You can experience the soreness of tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, even if you don't play tennis.
This common condition is caused by frequent, twisting motion using the
hand, wrist or forearm - like when playing tennis. Even though tennis
elbow is common among those who play racquet sports it is more often
the result of other repetitive motion, like gardening or using a
computer.
Burning pain associated with tennis elbow is felt in the tendons
attached to the outer bone, or lateral epicondyle, of the elbow.
Repetitive motion causes the tendons to constrict and become irritated.
Tendons are fibrous bands connecting muscle to bone, and several
muscles attach to the lateral epicondyle in the elbow. Two forearm
muscles connected to the lateral epicondyle are the anoconeus and
supinator muscles. These muscles respond when you rotate or twist your
arm, similar to the action required to use a screwdriver.
Extensor muscles also connect to the elbow and are responsible for
extending the fingers and wrists toward the back of your hand. For
example, when typing at a computer your fingers extend causing your
wrists to push inward toward the keyboard. Correctly adjusting your
keyboard, desk and chair may help alleviate pain caused by the
repetitive motion of using a computer. For more information about
correctly setting up your work space, click here.
At first, the pain of tennis elbow is mild and worsens over time and
may spread to the forearm. In severe cases, picking up simple objects
or simply moving the elbow joint can be extremely painful.
An orthopedic physician's treatment plan for tennis elbow typically
includes resting the arm, ice and anti-inflammatory medication like
ibuprofen. This simple treatment usually improves the pain associated
with tennis elbow in about four weeks.
If the pain persists, steroidal injections, a splint or brace may be
prescribed. Once the pain is relieved, treatment may continue with
physical therapy. This would include
exercises for stretching and strengthening the muscles and tendons.
In rare cases, surgery may be required to remove damaged tendon and reattach healthy tendon to the bone.
Orthopedics is the area of medicine specializing in the diagnosis and
treatment of bone, joint, tissue and nerve disorders, including those
in the hand, wrist and arm. If you are living with elbow pain, call
Valley Orthopedic Associates at 425-656-5060.
For more information about tennis elbow, click here. |
