“Tennis Elbow” (Lateral Epicondylalgia) – Symptoms
If you have “tennis elbow” you may have some of the below characteristic symptoms:Pain on the outside of your elbow – to touch or when performing daily tasks such as using the mouse on your computer, gripping or unscrewing lids on objects
Pain radiating down your forearm
Loss of strength when gripping, performing tasks using the wrist/hand
Pins and needles in the arm can occasionally co-exist
Some sufferers have co-existing neck pain and symptoms
Tips for “tennis elbow” pain
If you have some of these symptoms you can attempt to help settle the symptoms with the use of the tips below – particularly if it is an acute injury.If you have had this for a period of time >3 - 4 wks) you will require a specific rehab programme to strengthen the tendon and associated muscles in order for the tendon to “heal”
Ice massage
Self trigger point release of “knots” in the forearm
Alter tasks to unload the tendon:
where possible use the palm facing upwards when lifting, gripping etc
use a thicker pen or grip on rackets etc
ensure you take regular breaks if working at a computer
if working with a mouse continuously swap the hand you use the mouse in (this will take some perseverance) or utilize an “upright” mouse rather than a standard mouse.
Acute Elbow Trauma – dislocation, fracture
If you have had a traumatic injury to your elbow with or without surgery or a cast you will most likely have some of the below symptoms:elbow pain
elbow stiffness – particularly an inability to straighten your elbow fully
muscle wasting and weakness
Tips for elbow Trauma
Often you will not be advised to come to physio after these injuries but commonly people suffer with prolonged pain and stiffness once the bone/joint has healed and this requires physio in order to resolve the remaining symptoms
resolve remaining painreturn your elbow to its normal range of movement
rehab programme to target stretching and strengthening of involved muscles
treat any co-existing issues such as neck and shoulder pain from having the limb immobilized for a period of time
“Golfers Elbow” (Medial Epicondylalgia)
If you have “Golfers Elbow” you may have some of the following symptoms:pain on the inside of your elbow
Pain radiating down your forearm
Loss of strength when using the hand and wrist
Pins and needles in the arm can occasionally co-exist
Some sufferers have co-existing neck pain and symptoms
Tips for “golfers elbow” pain
If you have some of these symptoms you can attempt to help settle the symptoms with the use of the tips below – particularly if it is an acute injury.If you have had this for a period of time >3 - 4 wks) you will require a specific rehab programme to strengthen the tendon and associated muscles in order for the tendon to “heal”
Ice massage
Self trigger point release of “knots” in the forearm
Reduce the aggravating load ie if golf aggravates it reduce the amount you are playing for a period of 1 -2 weeks to see if you can settle and then gradually build this load back up to normal without increasing your symptoms