Imagine that you are the starting pitcher for your baseball or softball team. Like any MVP, your team is going to rely on you to perform the best game after game, and with playoffs approaching, your coach as increased the pressure and workload on you to ensure a successful finish to the season.
Pain’s Impact on Performance
This wouldn’t normally pose a problem, except recently you have been experiencing some discomfort in your elbow. The longer the game continues, the more discomfort you are experiencing on your arm. The next day you are unable to even complete easy tasks like brush your teeth without being in pain.
Being an athlete, playing through the pain is something you are no stranger to. This pain is different, however, and is affecting your quality of life. After doing some research and seeking help from a doctor, you determine you have elbow pain. But what exactly is tennis elbow? Is it a serious injury? How do you address it?
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is weakening and inflammation of the tendons that connect your bone to the outside of the elbow. This is typically caused by wear and tear. The tendons in your elbow are responsible for transferring force from the muscles in your arm to your bone within the elbow. If these tendons degenerate, the force is put directly on the joint which can cause a lot of stress on it. If you have tennis elbow, normal daily activities like lifting and grasping objects can be painful.
How Do You Know If You Have Tennis Elbow?
If you have pain directly outside your elbow, chances are you have it as this is the characteristic symptom of it. Movements like gripping can be painful, making everyday tasks tedious and uncomfortable. Pain may originate in the elbow but can radiate down your forearm and into your hand. You may also experience pain or tenderness to the touch on the outside of the elbow.
Contact AICA Orthopedics For Help
Although generally, a minor condition, tennis elbow can lead to some major issues if left untreated. If you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms addressed here, call our Atlanta orthopedic doctors at (404) 855-2141 to schedule an appointment and get you on the road to feeling better.
