Are you not able to play tennis or golf because of elbow pain? This could be a result of Epicondylitis, more commonly known as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow.
At Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates, we can help you get back on track to doing the things you love.
Read on for more information about tennis and golfer’s elbow, treating tennis elbow as well as preventing tennis elbow.
ABOUT THE ELBOW
The elbow joint is between the humerus in the upper arm and the radius and ulna in the forearm, which allows the forearm and hand to be moved toward and away from the body.
- Humerus: The bone of the upper arm that forms joints at the shoulder and the elbow
- Ulna: The thinner and longer of the two bones in the forearm
WHAT IS TENNIS ELBOW / GOLFER’S ELBOW?
Epicondylitis is a form of tendonitis also known as tennis elbow. This condition causes pain on the outside portion of the elbow. Pain occurs when grasping, pushing, pulling and lifting objects. As the pain progresses, it can limit the activities you are able to do.
People between the age of 30 to 50 are more likely to get tennis/golfer’s elbow. However, despite their name, you can develop tennis/golfer’s elbow even if you do not play these sports. Most commonly these conditions develop with routine overuse.
SYMPTOMS OF TENNIS ELBOW / GOLFER’S ELBOW
Common symptoms of tennis elbow include:
- Pain that transmits from the outside of your elbow and down your forearm
- Tenderness on the outside of your elbow
- Weakness in your forearm
- Pain when you grip or twist something
The dominant arm is mostly affected; however, either arm can be affected.
RISK FACTORS OF TENNIS ELBOW / GOLFER’S ELBOW
People who play tennis or golfer’s are not the only ones who can get this form of tendonitis.
People who are active in work or recreational activities that are repetitive or use the forearm can have tennis elbow/ golfer’s elbow, including:
- Painters
- Plumbers
- Carpenters
- Cooks
- Butchers
- Weightlifters
TREATING TENNIS ELBOW / GOLFER’S ELBOW
If you think you have tennis elbow, make an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. In your initial appointment, your doctor will talk with you about how the symptoms developed and your participation in recreational sports.
If you have previous elbow injury or rheumatoid arthritis history, be sure to tell your orthopedic doctor.
DURING THE INITIAL EXAM
During your initial exam, your orthopedic doctor will run various tests, such as asking you to straighten your wrist and fingers to determine if that causes pain. This could tell your doctor if your muscles are healthy.
Other tests your doctor may want to run include:
- X-Rays
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans (MRI)
- Electromyography (EMG)
AFTER THE EXAM
Forms of treatment could include splinting, stretching, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drug treatment, steroid or PPR injections. Some people with symptoms that do not respond to treatment are candidates for surgery.
PHYSICAL THERAPY | ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG TREATMENT | REST AND WEARING A BRACE
Stage One
The first stage of treatment involves rest of the arm until the acute pain improves. Medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen may be helpful.
Stage Two
The second phase includes a stretching program. These exercises are focused on stretching the wrist muscles. The exercises are first performed with the elbow bent, then with the elbow extended. The most important part of treatment is to reduce the amount of strain on the affected tendons.
Resting the arm or wearing a wrist splint can help reduce pain on the affected tendons.
STEROID INJECTIONS
Your orthopedic doctor could recommend steroid injections, such as cortisone.
EQUIPMENT CHECK
If you participate in recreational sports, your doctor could recommend you check your equipment for a proper fit.
For example: If you use a racket that is too large, you could switch it out for a smaller one.
SURGERY
If the above treatments don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery. This type of surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure.
This requires making an incision over the elbow. However, the procedure is usually minimally invasive.
PREVENTING TENNIS ELBOW / GOLFER’S ELBOW
- If you think that you have tennis elbow, stop doing the activity.
- If you play recreational sports, ask your coach for some tips to improve your technique.
- Get properly fitted for your recreational activity materials
- Wear a brace while you sleep
- Increase the strength of your forearm muscle
UPPER EXTREMITY AND HAND CARE | MOUNTAINSTATE ORTHOPEDIC ASSOCIATES
At Mountainstate Orthopedic Associates, we take the time to assess your symptoms to develop the right treatment plan for you.
Dr. Schessler is our Upper Extremity & Hand Orthopedic Surgeon.
“My specialty is complex upper extremity and hand surgery. I enjoy taking care of patients with complex problems of the hand, wrist and elbow. I bring to the area training to complete minimally invasive surgeries allowing for a quicker recovery period for our patients getting them back to their job, sport or everyday activities.” –Matthew J. Schessler, M.D.
Give us a call at 304-599-0720 or contact us to schedule an appointment.