Tennis elbow is a common but painful condition that occurs from the repetitious movement with your elbow joint. This is not just caused by playing tennis but can be from a job where you twist and move in the same manner daily (like using a wrench) or even from gardening on the weekends.
Avoid Surgery with AICA
If you have been attempting to cope with discomfort from this condition and are concerned about undergoing surgical intervention, call us at (404) 855-2141. Our Atlanta orthopedic doctors have numerous non-surgical techniques to treat you that are just as effective.
The orthopedic doctors at our clinics understand that surgery is not always the best or preferred option for patients, and we encourage less invasive treatments first when it is in the best interest of our patients. Our orthopedic doctors want to provide you with pain-free movement of your elbow and have numerous methods for addressing this condition without surgery.
Defining Tennis Elbow
The medical terminology for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. It is a condition that is caused by inflammation in the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon in your elbow. This tendon is connected to the forearm muscle and is responsible for stabilizing your wrist when you have fully extended your arm.
If this tendon becomes overused, small tears can occur which is what leads to the inflammation and subsequent pain you experience. If discovered and treated early with rest, your body can typically heal these small tears on its own, reducing inflammation. If this is a chronic condition, however, intervention from our orthopedic doctors will be required to help heal and strengthen the affected area.
Potential Treatment Solutions
The first treatment method our orthopedic doctors use for tennis elbow is typically physical therapy. As your elbow is complex in nature, is made up of numerous connective tissues that allow for support and movement, often the healthy un-affected areas have to be strengthened to allow for the weaker injured area to heal.
Physical therapy can help you accomplish just that. Our Atlanta orthopedic doctors will oversee your physical therapy and ensure that the proper mix of stretching and strengthening exercises are being used to strengthen the muscles around your wrist and elbow, allowing pressure to be relieved from the tendon.
Although not difficult to do, these exercises will need to be continued at home. You will be provided with a list of stretching and strengthening exercises to do at home such as wrist flexes and fist clenches. Completing these between physical therapy sessions is important to ensure your fast recovery and allow you to have pain-free movement.
