An injury to any joint can be painful. Elbow injuries are painful, and left untreated can result in worsening problems. An elbow injury can manifest as a dull, constant, nagging pain even when the arm is at rest. This can weaken your grip and cause pain when trying to grasp something or even when trying to lift a light object.
Common Elbow Ailments
There are a variety of things which can contribute to elbow injuries and pain, including weak shoulder or forearm muscles as well as instability of the elbow joint itself. Repetitive wrist movement, such as used by a store checker, is often blamed for carpal tunnel syndrome, the motion can also affect the elbow joint. Some of the common elbow ailments include:
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is one of the most commonly known elbow ailments and is caused by problems with tendons surrounding the bones, and/or inflammation of the bursa which act as the cushions between bones. The resulting tendonitis or bursitis transmit pain to the outer area of the elbow down the forearm sometimes to the wrist.
Although named after the improper swing in tennis, tennis elbow syndrome results through a variety of other reasons involving frequently grasping of something, such as a screwdriver, with the hand and twisting the arm.
Golfer’s elbow
Similarly, golfer's elbow or thrower's elbow also comes from overuse as well, but it involves the inner elbow and arm. The pain here can become more intense when making a fist.
While inappropriate swings contribute to tennis or golfer's elbow, using too heavy a racquet or club, or trying to use one with too large or small a grip for your hand can also take a toll on your wrist and elbow.
Preventing Elbow Injury and Managing Elbow Pain
Many forms of exercise can help prevent injuries to the elbow, as well as strengthen the joint to aid in the prevention of injury or re-injury of the elbow.
Warm-ups
For those active in any sport, it is essential to properly warm up the muscles involved prior to playing and to cool down after play.
Sports equipment
It is also vital to utilise the proper size and weight of the equipment for each individual. Racquets, clubs, bowling balls, and other sporting equipment come in a variety of sizes and weights appropriate for men or women, not only for the best playing advantage but to avoid possible injuries. When purchasing sporting equipment make sure your work with a knowledgeable person to help you find what is appropriate for you.
When taking up a new sport or advancing in one, it is vital to learn the proper use of equipment for that sport and technique for play. Private or group lessons are essential for learning any new sport, no matter your age.
Arm and hand exercises
Arm and hand strengthening exercises will help prevent initial or further elbow injury and can reduce pain. Many exercises involve the use of hand weights. It is best to have a physiotherapy treatment session to allow you to know the best exercises as well as the amount of weight and the number of repetitions or amount of time spent on exercise for each arm.
To prevent injury or reduce pain, you should avoid positions that are uncomfortable for the elbow and overuse of the arm and joint. Whenever possible, avoid lifting heavy objects and use that puts a lot of pressure on the forearms and wrists.
Physiotherapy for Elbow Pain
Elbow pain is nothing to be taken lightly or to be ignored. If left unattended to, it will worsen especially with continued uncomfortable use. There is a reason for the pain, and a physiotherapist can help. Depending upon the injury and the individual, treatment options may vary. Some treatments for elbow injuries include:
- Icing
- Soft tissue massage
- Exercise
- Ultrasound
- Shockwave therapy
- Use of a brace, or taping of the arm
- Acupressure or acupuncture
- Retraining of the muscles for elbow and arm activities
In more severe cases, anti-inflammatory and/or pain medication may need to be prescribed by a physician. There are injuries which may require surgery.
If you have continued symptoms that don’t improve even with rest, or if you are prone to recurring bouts of elbow pain, you need to see a doctor and/or physiotherapist for diagnosis and a treatment regimen.
Results from Physiotherapy Treatment
The ultimate goal of physiotherapy is to provide easier mobility of the elbow joint and to strengthen the muscles involved while eliminating the pain. Physiotherapy will also improve the flow of blood to the tendons and make way for less pain while healing of the joints and muscles involved.
Of the utmost importance for alleviating elbow injuries is to understand that the pain you are feeling is telling you something. If the pain worsens, stop what you are doing, whether during exercise, sports activities, or work. Continuing with what is exacerbating the pain is only going to make the condition, and the pain, worse.
For example, if the pain worsens with prescribed exercise from your physiotherapist, don't hesitate to cut back on the time or repetitions of the exercise. If the pain starts or worsens while participating in a sport, stop. Consult with your physiotherapist about how to best approach a work activity or sport that could contribute to the injury and pain.
Healing an elbow injury takes time and patience, whether from an accident or an accruing stress-related injury. Once healed, you will need to continue following an exercise program prescribed by your physiotherapist, to keep strengthening and stretching the surrounding muscles keeping them flexible and strong to help avoid re-injury.
Contact CK Physiotherapy via Online Sessions
If you are suffering from elbow pain or other joint ailments in the Ealing area, the physiotherapists at CK Physio can and will help. We are now scheduling limited face-to-face appointments following strict social distancing and PPE guidelines for the health of our patients and our staff.
At this time, CK Physio is also continuing to offer our virtual physiotherapy sessions for those unable to, or uncomfortable with, in-person appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Give the CK Physio office a call to discuss any problems you may be having or to schedule a primary appointment today.
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