Common Elbow Problems

“Tennis Elbow”-Lateral Epicondilitis

Is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender due to overuse, or repetitive motions.

Possibly you may feel: 
• Pain on the outer part of elbow.
• Point tenderness over the prominent part of the bone on the outside of the elbow.
• Gripping and movements of the wrist hurt, especially wrist extension and lifting movements.
• Activities as pouring a pitcher or gallon of milk, lifting with the palm down are characteristically painful.
• Morning stiffness.

Treatment:
• Physical Therapy- most important part of the treatment. It includes various modalities for preventing and treating tennis elbow.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin.
• Heat or ice.
• A counter-force brace or “tennis elbow strap” to reduce strain at the elbow, to limit pain provocation and to protect against further damage.
• ECSW ( Extracorporeal shock wave).

The pain is similar to the pain of the condition known as “Golfer’s elbow” but the latter occurs at the medial side of the elbow.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

Repetitive strain injury is an injury of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by repetitive tasks, vibrations, mechanical compression, or sustained or awkward positions, computer use. Using a blunt knife for everyday chopping of vegetables’ may cause RSI.

Patients usually feel:
• Short bursts of excruciating pain in the arm, back, shoulders, wrists, hands, or thumbs.
• The pain is worse with activity.
• Weakness, lack of endurance.

Treatment:
The most often prescribed treatments for repetitive strain injuries are rest, exercise, braces and massage. Since the computer workstation is frequently blamed for RSIs, particularly of the hand and wrist, ergonomic adjustments of the workstation are often recommended.

Golfer's Elbow

Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is an inflammatory condition of the medial epicondyle of the elbow. Its usually associated with poor biomechanics and poor technique in golf swing. Medial epicondyle becomes inflamed and tender to the touch. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, are both forms of tendonitis. Tendons are the ends of muscles that attach to bone. Because of the force of the muscle, the points of insertion of the tendon on the bone are often pointed prominences. The medical names of Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis) come from the names of these bony prominences where the tendons insert, and where the inflammation causes the pain. Despite the name, this condition doesn’t just affect golfers.

Olecranon Bursitis

Olecranon bursitis -“student’s elbow” is a condition characterized by pain, swelling and inflammation of the olecranon bursa located in the elbow. Bursitis normally develops as a result either of a single injury to the elbow, or perhaps more commonly due to repeated minor injuries, such as may be caused by repeatedly leaning on the point of the elbow on a hard surface.

Treatment:
• Removing mechanical stress from the affected area – avoiding leaning on the elbow.
• Medical intervention.
• Oral NSAIDs or antibiotics.