What is the Cause of Elbow Pain? Ask an Elbow Pain Specialist
Elbow pain, according to elbow pain specialists, usually occurs in two different places and is commonly called by two different names. Tennis elbow is a soreness or strain on the outer part of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow occurs on the inside part of the elbow. In both cases, the pain can radiate down the arm to the wrist. Tennis elbow is a painful condition that requires specific care. It is usually caused by overuse. Specifically, the action that causes the problem is an action in which you twist your arm repeatedly, creating tiny tears on your tendons that attach to the elbow. Tendons are strings of firm tissue that connect your muscles of your lower arm to the bone in the elbow joint. The twisting motion is stressing the hand wrist tendon of your arm. You will see this condition in tennis players, gardeners, painters or workmen who use a manual screwdriver. It can be a common ailment for people over 40 years of age.
However, damage can also be as a result of a blow to the elbow.
Elbow Pain? Ask an Elbow Pain Specialist
Symptoms
You can feel the pain of tennis elbow when you:
- Grasp an object firmly.
- Move your arm above your head.
- Twist a door hand.
- Shake hands with someone.
- Grab hold of an object and lift it.
Home Remedies
It is essential to start treatment as soon as you notice the pain.
- Rest your arm and stop the activity that is causing the issue.
- You can use cold packs for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, several times a day.
- It is also a good idea to try warming the area to see if that relieves the pain.
- Take over the counter pain medication to relieve the dull ache.
- Try an anti-inflammatory cream in the area of the elbow.
- You can wear a brace around your arm just below the elbow to ease the pressure.
When to Seek Professional Help from an Elbow Pain Specialist
Often the pain from tennis elbow will subside effectively with these home remedies, but if the pain persists for more than a week, it is time to call your doctor to seek out professional help from a pain doctor in New York or a pain doctor in New Jersey.
Elbow Pain Specialist Solutions for Your Pain
The first step to your treatment options is an accurate diagnosis. Your elbow pain specialist will examine your elbow and perhaps request an imaging test to rule out any issues with the bones in the joint or other more severe problems. Your pain doctor in NY or pain doctor in NJ will then try non-intrusive methods first to bring you pain relief. Some of the following treatment options are possible at the pain treatment clinic. Your pain doctor will coordinate with all of the specialists to ensure your treatments meets your needs.
- Physical Therapy: Your therapist will train you to perform specific exercises to strengthen your muscles and relieve your pain. Then they will teach you to complete simple exercises at home to stretch and build up your muscle strength. Also, they will share advice about how to maintain doing your activities, while protecting your elbow.
- Massage: Your massage therapist will employ techniques to relieve your elbow pain. This therapy is very different from the recreation massages you may have had at the spa or on holidays. Your therapist has had expert training in relieving pain in various areas of the body.
- Steroid Injections: The anti-inflammatory medicine in the injection will promote healing of the torn tendons.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections: These injections can promote healing of the inflamed or torn tendons.
- Pain Medicine Injection: An injection of pain medicine can relieve the pain on a temporary basis.
- Ultrasonic Tenotomy (TENEX procedure): You well-trained pain doctor inserts a special need into the damaged area. This needle vibrates quickly, liquifying the damaged tissue so it can be removed.
- Surgery: If the less intrusive methods of treatment do not work, then surgery is an option There is a high likelihood of 85% to 90% that surgery will relieve your pain. However rehabilitative exercises are a critical part of recovery.
Prevention of Tennis Elbow
It is essential to figure out what is causing the overuse of the tendon in the first place.
- Sport-Related: If the pain happens after you engage in your favorite sport, you may need to take specific action to change the way you engage in that activity. Perhaps it is time for a brace. Maybe you need to replace equipment to reduce the strain on your tendon. Or if the pain is overwhelming, you may need to stop this sports activity altogether until the tendon is completely healed.
- Work Related: Repetitive movement in the workplace can be a source of your pain. You may need to devise methods of reducing the over usage of twisting your wrist. Perhaps you could use a power tool instead of a hand tool. You may need to request reassignment of duties to rest from the activity that is causing the problem.
Key Concepts
- Tennis elbow is a prevalent condition that occurs in people over 40 years old.
- In most cases, home remedies can alleviate your pain.
- If the pain persists for more than a week, it is time to seek help from an elbow pain specialist.
- Treatment at the pain treatment clinic will begin with non-intrusive methods.
- Surgery for tennis elbow is usually highly successful in relieving your pain.