Tennis Elbow is an inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. The forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse - repeating the same motions again and again. This leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow.
But athletes are not the only people who get tennis elbow. Many people with tennis elbow participate in work or recreational activities that require repetitive and vigorous use of the forearm muscle.
Painters, plumbers, and carpenters are particularly prone to developing tennis elbow. Studies have shown that auto workers, cooks, and even butchers get tennis elbow more often than the rest of the population. It is thought that the repetition and weight lifting required in these occupations leads to injury.
Symptoms develop gradually and you may find relief from non-surgical treatments such as:
REST: The first step toward recovery is to give your arm proper rest. This means that you will have to stop participation in sports or heavy work activities for several weeks.
NSAIDS: Drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen reduce pain and swelling.
PHYSICAL THERAPY: Specific exercises are helpful for strengthening the muscles of the forearm. Your therapist may also perform ultrasound, ice massage, or muscle-stimulating techniques to improve muscle healing.
BRACE: Using a brace centered over the back of your forearm may also help relieve symptoms of tennis elbow. This can reduce symptoms by resting the muscles and tendons.
STEROID INJECTIONS: Steroids, such as cortisone, are very effective anti-inflammatory medicines. Your doctor may decide to inject your damaged muscle with a steroid to relieve your symptoms.
EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY: Shock wave therapy sends sound waves to the elbow. These sound waves create "microtrauma" that promote the body's natural healing processes. Shock wave therapy is considered experimental by many doctors, but some sources show it can be effective.
If your symptoms do not respond after 6 to 12 months of nonsurgical treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery.
To learn more about the surgical treatment of Tennis Elbow at Seaside Surgery Center, read
this short article, then give us a call at 239-592-4955.
Information on
Tennis Elbow via the website of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
