subject: Stay Ahead Of The Game, Even With Tennis Elbow [print this page] Tennis elbow is a condition orthopedic doctors see most often in people, men mostly, between the ages of 30-50, because it is generally caused by overuse in a repetitive motion. That is not to say that playing tennis or another racquet sport will not cause tennis elbow. It certainly can, especially if the athlete is using improper equipment or technique.
Certain occupations and certain daily activities contribute to development of tennis elbow, too, such as work done every day in Asheboro NC by mechanics, cooks, carpenters, plumbers, cleaners, and others who spend a good part of their time performing certain repetitive twisting motions that can irritate their wrist and forearm.
What causes tennis elbow?
Unlike your shoulder joint, with its incredibly wide range of motion, your elbow joint is a hinge. Pure and simple, your elbow joint just opens and closes. In the development of tennis elbow, tendons that connect your hand and forearm muscles to your upper arm bone, at your elbow, have to work under stress every time you perform a repetitive twisting motion such as using a screwdriver or scissors, operating a computer keyboard and mouse, or using your backhand in tennis. Over time, as you over-use arm and forearm muscles, your tendons become damaged and may fray or tear.
What does tennis elbow feel like?
With tennis elbow, pain generally increases slowly until it radiates from the outside of your elbow into your forearm and wrist. It hurts to turn a doorknob, to hold a coffee cup, to shake hands, and it even hurts to brush your teeth.
How is tennis elbow diagnosed and treated?
Orthopedic doctors typically examine your elbow, ask about recent activity and symptoms, have you perform certain diagnostic movements, and rule out other causes of pain such as arthritis or a pinched nerve, before making a diagnosis. And, generally, non-surgical measures to treat your tennis elbow are prescribed.
The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation, decrease stress and over-use of the elbow, and promote healing. The fine orthopedic doctors in Asheboro NC can assist in your recovery and teach you how to avoid a recurrence of tennis elbow in the future. Most tennis elbow injuries heal within six to twelve months.
What happens if none of that works?
While non-surgical measures, including medical treatment such as bracing, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy, are successful for over 90 percent of patients with tennis elbow, sometimes surgery is necessary. In order to return your elbow as close to full function as possible, your orthopedic surgeon may need to repair the muscle-tendon unit around the elbow. Surgery to repair tennis elbow may involve trimming damaged portions of tendon tissue, cutting the tendon and allowing it to mend itself back together, or repairing and reattaching the tendon to the bone.
What is recovery from tennis elbow surgery like?
Recovery times usually run 3 to 6 months, depending directly on how well and how faithfully you follow your rehabilitation program. You may not be able to return to the activity that caused your tennis elbow, but if you do, be sure to correct any equipment or technique issues that initially contributed to the problem.
Do not hesitate to visit the orthopedic doctors in Asheboro NC for help with your tennis elbow. They can help relieve your pain and teach you how to stay ahead of the game.
