Houston Tennis / Golfers Elbow Treatment
Epicondylitis is an irritation or inflammation of the tendons around the elbow joint.
Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is a painful condition on and around the bony prominence (epicondyle) on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow. Pain may radiate down your arm. Gripping or extending your wrist may intensify the pain.
Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) describes a similar condition. The pain focus is the knobby bump on the inside of the elbow closest to the body (the medial side).
Both tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow typically result from repetitive arm movement. Over-using the muscles in your arm can lead to tiny tears (micro tears) in the tendons that attach the muscles in your forearms to the epicondyles.
If you continue to do the activity without allowing the tears to heal, the tendons can become inflamed and very painful.
This condition can be caused by excessive use of your arm such as long sessions practicing your golf swing or tennis stroke and in many other activities including painting, raking, pitching, rowing, hammering and using a screwdriver.
Elbow Treatment Includes:
- Rest, which allows the micro- tears to heal. If the symptoms are sports-related, you might examine your technique and equipment. You may need to take breaks during work or play; avoid activities or movements which cause pain; and limit heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling.
- Ice Pack, applied to painful area for approximately 20 minutes 3 times a day, to decrease inflammation and pain. (Do not place ice directly on the skin)
- Anti-inflammatory medication, an oral medication to help relieve inflammation and pain.
- Steroid injection, a locally acting injection to help decrease inflammation and pain.
- Counterforce brace (elbow cuff) worn during the day hours to help support the inflamed tendon.
- Cock-up wrist splint (wrist brace) worn during the night hours to help rest the tendon.
- Physical Therapy (3 times a week for approximately 6 weeks) initially to decrease pain and inflammation, maintain muscle strength, and finally to increase strength and endurance.
- Surgery – if all else fails.
