If you are suffering from elbow pain that gets worse when you flex your wrist, carry shopping, use a computer keypad or grip a racquet or golf club in sport, you may well be suffering from Tennis or Golfer’s Elbow.
These are both problems that can affect anyone, not just players of Tennis or Golf! The pain, which gradually increases over time, can become chronic and, get so bad that it even hurts to have clothing touching the skin of the painful area.
If left untreated, these painful elbow conditions can last anywhere from between 6 months and 2 years and, unfortunately, are prone to recur. Studies have shown that Physiotherapy has much better long-term outcomes for patients by comparison with the short-term benefits of medical interventions such as steroid injections.
Call on 03 9034 7735 now or Book Online for an appointment at our clinics. After an initial assessment to identify the cause of the problem (in some cases, referred pain from the neck, upper back, or shoulder can mimic the symptoms of tennis or golfer’s elbow), we will discuss what treatment options are most suitable for you.
What Are The Symptoms?
Tennis Elbow
In Tennis elbow, (lateral epicondylitis), the problem originates at the muscle-tendon junction of the extensor muscles and causes tenderness and pain on the outside of the elbow due to inflammation or small tears in the tendon. It often happens in patients that have been busy with a DIY project or a bout of gardening whose muscles are not used to that level of exertion.
Golfer’s Elbow
In Golfer’s elbow, (medial epicondylitis), the problem affects the muscles and tendons that control the fingers and wrist. It causes pain on the inside of the elbow sometimes extending down the inner side of the forearm. Other symptoms are weakness, numbness or tingling in the hands and wrists and the elbow itself may feel stiff. Making a fist can also be painful.
In the early stages of both problems, pain is only felt during the activities that provoke it; however, without treatment, the problem can become chronic, causing pain, even when at rest.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Having determined the cause of your elbow pain, your Physiotherapist will work with you to improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles in your forearm. You will be advised what activities to avoid and on exercises that will help to alleviate the symptoms by strengthening the affected muscles and helping to repair the tiny tears in the affected tendon. Joint and soft tissue mobilisations, and massage to release tight muscles are all therapies available at Focal Allied Health and may be used to facilitate optimal healing.
The holistic care from your Physiotherapist can help Tennis or Golfer’s elbow by optimising the healing process and strengthening your forearm muscles to make a recurrence less likely. Once the problem has become chronic, resolving the problem takes longer, so the best advice we can give to anyone suffering from the type of elbow pain we have described is, don’t delay getting treatment – call us today to arrange your assessment appointment.
Call us on 03 9034 7735 or Book Online now.