Tennis Elbow and Physical Therapy
Although many people associate tennis elbow to the game, only a small percentage of the patients are tennis players. Lateral Epicondylitis, as referred to by medical practitioners, is a common condition that usually occurs when the elbow tendons are overloaded or overworked by having repetitive arm and/or wrist motions.
Over-the-Counter drugs have been used by many to relieve the pain temporarily while others have gone for surgery that has left permanent weakness in their arm. The good news is that you don’t have to go through all these. Our registered and certified physical therapists at Fusion Physical Therapy are there to stop that pain and give you a permanent solution to tennis elbow. There are symptoms of tennis elbow that should make you visit us.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
- Pain – this maybe around the wrist, elbow, and forearm. You may just feel pain even when you are just doing nothing.
- Inability to open a doorknob
- Difficulty when moving your hard
- A lump or bulging around your elbow
- Reddish elbow
- Stiff elbow
- Swollen elbow
- General weakness in the wrist, hand, and forearm
- Difficult to shake hands
- Difficult to grab an object
Some Risk Factors and Causes
Our trained physical therapists trace the main cause of tennis elbow, is doing any activity that leads to repetitive arm motions. Some of such tasks include:
- Painting
- Plumbing
- Butchering
- Cutting some materials
- Repetitive and continuous use of a computer mouse
- Carpentry
- Using chain saw repetitively
- Playing some musical instruments like guitar
- Risk factors like age, occupation, and certain sports.
How we Diagnose It
At Fusion Physical Therapy, our experienced physical therapists will take you through a physical examination while asking you relevant questions on the cause and symptoms of tennis elbow. While carrying thorough diagnosis, they could be touching various parts of your arm to determine specifically where you are having pain. You should also expect some movements of your wrist or fingers in diverse directions.
If they feel there is more than tennis elbow they may carry out X-rays, MRI or electromyography. Besides, they give you some take-away exercises and pain management strategies to be doing at home before the next visit. Fusion Physical Therapy is with you in every stage of your recovery; contact us today and experience the relief.