Tennis elbow is a painful medical condition due to overuse of the tendons in the elbow. Contrary to its name, tennis elbow does not happen to people who are active in playing tennis. Pain is usually felt in the muscles that are attached to the piece of bone that is bumped up at the elbow region. The intensity of pain depends on the severity of the injury and it can be treated using pain relievers for minor cases to surgery for major ones. What are some treatment methods and ways to prevent tennis elbow?
As mentioned above, tennis elbow is an overuse injury that can be caused by various reasons such as sports, gardening and even simple tasks such as lifting a plastic bag filled with groceries. This pain is caused by wear and tear of the common extensor tendon, leading to inflammation and swelling.
The most important treatment that can be administered is rest. Careful attempts to reduce repetitive motions in order to prevent further aggravation of the tendon are crucial and this can be kept in check by using an elbow brace. An effective elbow brace will wrap snugly around the forearm below the elbow and prevent unwanted movements that can hinder recovery efforts. Another type of common treatment method is the oral consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. NSAIDs help to reduce inflammation and bring down selling, but they do not heal the injury. They simply make the injury feel much more bearable to the patient. Applying a nice cold ice pack at home or in the office can also help to bring down the inflammation and reduce swelling. Cold packs will constrict the blood vessels and reduce blood flow, resulting in lesser movements in the elbow region. To tackle the problem at its roots, you can choose either to perform physical therapy or undergo surgery. Physical therapy will help to strengthen the muscles and soft tissues around the elbow to help better support your injured elbow. It takes place under the supervision of a trained physical therapist that will provide quality advices. For serious cases, surgery is often required to stitch up the injured tendon and snip off the loose parts which are causing irritation to the nearby tissues.
The best prevention tips for tennis elbow are strengthening exercises and reducing chances of overusing the elbow. Stretching and strengthening the muscles will ensure that you have the physical strength to perform out activities without increasing the chances of injuries. Do not overuse your elbow joint by constantly alternating your hands when you are performing strenuous activities and if they are to be done for a long period of time, use an elbow brace.
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