GIVE PAIN THE ELBOW!
As Wimbledon is upon us, with all the budding Federer’s out there, we’ve turned our attention to the commonly occurring Tennis Elbow!
Tennis Elbow: What is it?
Tennis Elbow is medically known as lateral epicondylitis, it is a condition where the outer surface of the elbow becomes sore, tender and sometimes swollen.
The name Tennis Elbow can be misleading, racquet sports are only thought to be the cause in 5 in a 100 cases (patient.co.uk) with 5 in 1,000 adults developing tennis elbow each year.
It occurs as an over use injury, it can be brought on by various activities including swimming, waiters, manual workers e.g. using a screwdriver and quite commonly desk based jobs,it frequently happens in your dominant arm.
Golfer’s elbow is the same principal but on the inside of the forearm from gripping the fingers tightly around the club.
Nicknames have been given to Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), our favourite being ‘Mouse elbow’!
Why does it occur?
Data suggests in occurs as an over-exertion injury by performing repetitive motions for a number of years.It can also be brought on by trauma, such as blows to the elbow, a sudden pull when walking the dog on a lead or falling onto outstretched hands.
Repetitive strain, such as typing, mouse work or bringing the wrist back to hit a ball with a racket, cause the muscles to slowly become very tight and subsequently shorten. There are weak points in the attachment of the tendon in to the bone and can eventually cause small microtears to occur in the tendon.
This is because tendons are rope-like structures and can tear or strain similar to a rope fraying. We then work through the damage causing repetitive irritation and inflammation which can eventually lead to scar tissue and daily pain.
Signs and symptoms:
It occurs as an over use injury, it can be brought on by various activities including swimming, waiters, manual workers e.g. using a screwdriver and quite commonly desk based jobs,it frequently happens in your dominant arm.
Golfer’s elbow is the same principal but on the inside of the forearm from gripping the fingers tightly around the club.
Nicknames have been given to Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), our favourite being ‘Mouse elbow’!
Why does it occur?
Data suggests in occurs as an over-exertion injury by performing repetitive motions for a number of years.It can also be brought on by trauma, such as blows to the elbow, a sudden pull when walking the dog on a lead or falling onto outstretched hands.
Repetitive strain, such as typing, mouse work or bringing the wrist back to hit a ball with a racket, cause the muscles to slowly become very tight and subsequently shorten. There are weak points in the attachment of the tendon in to the bone and can eventually cause small microtears to occur in the tendon.
This is because tendons are rope-like structures and can tear or strain similar to a rope fraying. We then work through the damage causing repetitive irritation and inflammation which can eventually lead to scar tissue and daily pain.
Signs and symptoms:
- Pain on inner or outer elbow
- Pain on gripping and movement of the wrist e.g typing, lifting and pouring the milk cartoon, turning door handles and opening jars.
- Stiffness in the morning upon waking.
- Radiating pain from the elbow to the forearm and wrist.
What can I do to help?
Make your work station, racket, dog-lead as elbow friendly as possible, discuss this with your occupational health advisor at work, coach or pet store to find the best equipment for you.
Ice the elbow: use a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a damp tea towel, for 5 minutes at a time when you get in from the repetitive activity, to reduce swelling.
Avoidance, if your injury was caused by playing a lot of sport on holiday, the sun came out so you jumped on a new DIY project using the screwdriver or you just started a new job, then it may have occurred as you have ‘unfit’ forearm muscles, strengthening the forearm muscles may help.
Stretch: a couple of useful stretches are outlined in the pictures below.
Make your work station, racket, dog-lead as elbow friendly as possible, discuss this with your occupational health advisor at work, coach or pet store to find the best equipment for you.
Ice the elbow: use a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a damp tea towel, for 5 minutes at a time when you get in from the repetitive activity, to reduce swelling.
Avoidance, if your injury was caused by playing a lot of sport on holiday, the sun came out so you jumped on a new DIY project using the screwdriver or you just started a new job, then it may have occurred as you have ‘unfit’ forearm muscles, strengthening the forearm muscles may help.
Stretch: a couple of useful stretches are outlined in the pictures below.
What can Lower Earley Osteopaths do to help?
We mobilise the joints in arm and shoulder to improve the mechanics of the arm, stretch the over tight muscles and use low level laser therapy over the elbow to aid in tissue healing.
If you have any further questions please contact Emma and Marcus on 0118 9614072.
Happy serving!
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