If you are experiencing elbow pain, you realize how much it can significantly impact your daily activities. And if you haven’t suffered a fall or injury, you may assume it’s muscle pain that will go away on its own.
While that may be the case, if the pain persists, we recommend you seek medical attention to prevent the issue from worsening, such as what could happen with tennis elbow.
What is tennis elbow?
When a person suffers from tennis elbow (also known as lateral epicondylitis), the tendons around the elbow experience small tears and become inflamed, causing pain to the outside portion of the elbow.
Tennis Elbow Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of tennis elbow are the following:
- Pain on the outside part of the elbow
- Pain that radiates through the arm
- Stiffness
- Burning sensation
- Tenderness to the touch
- Difficulty grabbing items
These symptoms tend to worsen with increased activity, even with something as simple as shaking hands. Likewise, the person often experiences relief once they rest the affected arm.
Risk Factors of Tennis Elbow
Despite its name, most people who suffer from this condition do not necessarily play tennis. The most significant risk factor of tennis elbow is repetitive movement, such as those required in certain professions, for example; painters, assembly line workers, plumbers, carpenters, or anyone who has to constantly sit at a desk using a computer without proper ergonomics.
It can also happen to athletes who play contact sports or constantly have to bend and extend their arms, such as sports where throwing or hitting a ball is involved.
Treatment & Home Remedies for Tennis Elbow
One of the best ways to treat tennis elbow is to modify the type of activity that is causing it. That being said, for people whose jobs depend on repetitive motions, this may not be the most practical solution.
Home remedies that alleviate the pain include the RICE Method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). The patient may also feel relief from wearing an arm brace, undergoing physical therapy, taking anti-inflammatory medications, or applying cortisone creams.
If conservative treatment doesn’t make symptoms disappear, surgery may be necessary to remove the inflamed tissue. The patient would then need rehabilitation exercises for recovery of elbow movement.
Request an Appointment at The Orthopedic Clinic Today
At The Orthopedic Clinic, we want you to live your life in full motion. If elbow pain is preventing you from doing the things you love, let us help you.
Call us at (386) 255-4596 to schedule an appointment.