Elbow Pain
Presented here are several possible causes of elbow pain and their symptoms*, listed in order of frequency of cases:
Arthritis: Tennis Elbow
"Tennis elbow" is a common term for a condition caused by overuse of arm and forearm muscles that results in elbow pain. You don't have to play tennis to get this, but the term came into use because it can be a significant problem for some tennis players.
Tennis elbow is caused by either abrupt or subtle injury of the muscle and tendon area around the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow specifically involves the area where the muscles and tendons of the forearm attach to the outside bony area (called the epicondyle) of the elbow. Your doctor may call this condition lateral epicondylitis. Another common term, "golfer's elbow," refers to the same process occurring on the inside of the elbow – what your doctor may call medial epicondylitis.
Overuse injury can also affect the back or posterior part of the elbow as well. Tennis elbow most commonly affects people in their dominant arm (that is, a right-handed person would experience pain in the right arm), but it can also occur in the nondominant arm or both arms.
Although tennis elbow commonly affects tennis players, it also affects other athletes and people who participate in leisure or work activities that require repetitive arm, elbow, and wrist movement. Examples include golfers, baseball players, bowlers, gardeners or landscapers, house or office cleaners (because of vacuuming, sweeping and scrubbing), carpenters, mechanics, and assembly-line workers.
*These listed causes and symptoms are only a small fraction of the entire range of potential causes of pain. Your pain may be caused by a different condition from the ones listed. Your OMPT specialist will be able to assist you – call OMPT today to schedule an appointment: (248) 353-1234
All information on symptoms courtesy of WebMD (www.webmd.com)
Lateral and Medial Epicondylities
Lateral epicondylities = tennis elbow.
Medial epicondylities = golfer's elbow.
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain and inflammation in the tendons that connect the forearm to the elbow. The pain centers on the bony bump on the inside of your elbow and may radiate into the forearm. It can usually be treated effectively with rest.
Golfer's elbow is usually caused by overusing the muscles in the forearm that allow you to rotate your arm and flex your wrist. Repetitive flexing, gripping, or swinging can cause pulls or tiny tears in the tendons.
Despite the name, this condition doesn’t just affect golfers. Any repetitive hand, wrist, or forearm motions can lead to can lead to golfer’s elbow. Risky sports include tennis, bowling, and baseball – in fact, it’s sometimes called pitcher’s elbow. People may also get it from using tools like screwdrivers and hammers, raking, or painting.
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