Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow

Posted by Phil Heler on January 5, 2016

For tennis elbow we use gold-standard Shockwave Therapy, one of the most advanced non-surgical and non-invasive treatments available for a wide range of stubborn conditions.

For tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow we use gold-standard Shockwave Therapy, which is one of the most advanced non-surgical and non-invasive treatments available for a wide range of stubborn conditions that are difficult to treat using a conventional treatment approach. Shockwave Therapy will preclude the need for steroid injections and invasive surgeries and enable rapid relief from your pain.

 

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is correctly termed ‘lateral epicondylitis’. The lateral epicondyle is a small bony bump on the outside of your forearm where one of the most important muscle tendons that helps lock your wrist inserts (these are the forearm extensors).

 

tennis elbow treatment

 

Damage is the consequence of an overuse injury, or repetitive activity, which creates small tears in the tendon. This occurs where the tendon inserts into the surface of the bone (or periosteum) as it attaches to the lateral epicondyle in the elbow joint.

Activities at home like DIY or gardening can precipitate an issue, as grip strength is required to operate most tools (it is no surprise that this condition is frequent in most tradesman such as builders and carpenters). The resulting pain can become obvious even when undertaking the simplest of tasks such as turning a door handle or opening a jar.

 

Golfer’s elbow

Golfer’s elbow is a condition that causes pain on the inside of your elbow. This is where your flexor tendons for your wrist attach to a bony bump called a medial epicondyle on the inside of your elbow. This is the tendon responsible for bending and locking your wrist in a forward or flexed position.

golfers elbow treatment

This condition is not limited to golfers but to people who repeatedly use their wrists in any activity that involves constant wrist flexion. This is an overuse injury and a repetitive activity will lead to small tears in the tendon as it inserts into periosteum (or surface) of the bone on the medial epicondyle on the inside of your elbow.

We use soft tissue techniques and ultrasound or acupuncture to give pain relief. We also administer basic stretching exercises and recommend an epicondylitis strap to help relieve tension on the tendon. For most people this is all that they will require, and pain will last from anything up to twelve weeks.

We use gold-standard Shockwave Therapy, which is one of the most advanced non-surgical and non-invasive treatments available for a wide range of stubborn conditions that are difficult to treat using a conventional treatment approach, conditions like tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow.

 

Soft tissue elbow injuries

Ligament and muscle (and muscle tendon) injuries can also occur in the elbow.

There are two bones in the forearm called the radius and the ulna. When you turn and rotate your hand from side to side (pronation and supination) the smaller radius bones rotates around the stationary fixed heavier and thicker ulna bone.

 

elbow injuries

 

The top of the radius bone near the crook of your elbow is held in a place by a ligamentous sling. This can sometimes be damaged, and pain will be felt when the hand is rotated in pronation and supination.

The elbow also has ligaments on each side of the joint that are called collateral ligaments. These ligaments constrain sideways movement and they can be damaged by any unexpected abrupt sideward force.

 

elbow tendon injuries

 

Muscle and muscle tendon injuries are common in the elbow and some of these issues are already covered in the elbow section in tennis and golfer’s elbow. However, another possible issue worthy of mention is the biceps and triceps tendons.

The biceps tendon inserts just below the elbow and this can cause pain when you bend your arm. Equally the triceps tendon, which inserts at the back of the elbow, can cause pain when you straighten your arm against resistance.