Despite its name, tennis elbow doesn’t only occur in tennis players. If your occupation or general physical activities require repetitive motions in your arm, you have an elevated risk. It can hinder your ability to perform simple tasks such as turning the door knob if not treated. Dr. Bennet and his team restore optimal functioning in your arm by providing noninvasive Houston tennis elbow treatments.
An overview of tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a severe medical condition due to extreme pressure and repetitive motions in your wrist and elbow. This disorder can affect anyone, although it is more prevalent among athletes. If your occupation involves carrying heavy objects or repetitive motions, you may have an elevated risk of tennis elbow. Some of these occupations include painters, butchers, plumbers, and carpenters. The tennis elbow causes excruciating pain in the part where the tendons attach to the boy bump on your elbow. The pain may also travel to your wrist and arm. Over-the-counter pain relievers and adequate rest often alleviate the pain, but if your symptoms are debilitating, don’t hesitate to inform your provider.
When to consult your doctor
Tennis elbow can result in soreness that spreads down your arm, making it challenging to perform simple activities such as turning a doorknob, holding something, or shaking hands. This disorder is progressive, and your symptoms may start mild and worsen over time if you don’t seek treatment. Signature symptoms of tennis elbow include pain or stiffness, burning sensation in your outer elbow, and pain when bending your arm. See medical attention if your symptoms resist homecare remedies like ice, pain relievers, and adequate rest.
Factors contributing to the development of tennis elbow
Repetitive movements can result in forearm strain and fatigue. As your forearm muscle endures the stress, the tendon attaching the muscle to the bony bump takes more pressure. This overloading results in pain and inflammation, a medical condition known as tendinitis. Over time as the pressure builds up, you develop a disorder known as tendinosis, which may result in tendon tearing. Sometimes an unprecedented elbow or arm injury can result in a tennis elbow. Idiopathic tennis elbow occurs for no particular reason, but it is rare.
Available treatments for tennis elbow
Overuse is the primary trigger of tennis elbow. If you don’t seek treatment, the symptoms may deteriorate, interfering with your ability to perform simple tasks with straining. During your appointment, your provider may examine your elbow joint and check for stiffness and swelling. They may also enquire about the physical activities that may have triggered it. You may need electromyography, imaging tests like ultrasound and CT scans, and X-rays to determine the underlying cause of your discomfort.
After diagnosis, the team may educate you about the available treatment options before recommending the most effective ones. They may suggest beginning treatment with noninvasive procedures like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), rest, braces, and physical therapy before proceeding to more aggressive treatment options.
If your symptoms are unresponsive to these procedures, your provider may recommend open or arthroscopic debridement to remove the damaged tendon. Call Bennet or use the online scheduling button for comprehensive care to create an appointment today.
