Strategies to Alleviate Persistent Elbow Pain and Improve Your Daily Routine
Hanging onto an elbow pain that just won't budge? You might've got yourself a case of tennis elbow, even if you've never wielded a tennis racket. And if it's been nagging at you for more than a month or so, it's about time to give it a check-up.
Still thinking it's just a passing thing? Better think again. Around 10 million Americans could be dealing with this annoying issue. It usually affects those who engage in repetitive tasks using the hand, wrist, and arm, like construction workers, manual laborers, meat cutters, or even supermarket cashiers, generally between the ages of 40 and 60.
When should you consider seeking help? Well, patients typically show up at the doctor after two or three months of elbow pain, according to sports medicine physician Dr. Dominic King, DO. But it's better to get it checked sooner rather than later. Dr. King and his fellow sports medicine physician, Dr. Jason Genin, DO, see multiple patients daily for this pesky condition.
So, what's happening inside your elbow? The body sometimes tries to heal the damage in a way that becomes uncontrolled and erratic, leading to a condition called tendinosis. Think of it as a hard, knotted mess in your tendon that just refuses to go away on its own.
If conservative treatments like rest, a tennis elbow strap, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy don't help, there are still options available. Your doctor might send you for musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging to see exactly where the problem lies. This allows them to examine the tendon's specific characteristics and identify areas of degeneration.
If conservative treatments and injection therapies don't work, you might need surgery. But there's a less invasive option—minimally invasive tenotomy—that can significantly reduce recovery time.
This procedure uses an FDA-approved technology and works by creating a gentle suction with a needle device to remove the damaged, thickened tendinosis while leaving the soft, pliable normal tendon unaffected. The entire process takes only a few minutes, and you'll feel a slight pressure during the procedure due to the local anesthetic.
One major advantage of minimally invasive tenotomy is that it requires only a tiny puncture through the skin, eliminating the need for stitches, and allowing you to return to normal activities in just four to six weeks. In comparison, traditional surgery requires larger incisions, longer recovery times, and carries a higher risk of complications like infection or scarring.
Tennis elbow can be a real pain, but the good news is that you don't always have to turn to injections or surgery. A minimally invasive approach can be a reasonable option for treating tennis elbow. Treatment and surgery decisions depend on your history of pain, the severity of the tendon damage, and whether your occupation requires excessive use of the wrist and forearm.
- Technology plays a significant role in diagnosing chronic conditions like tennis elbow, as doctors may use musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging for a detailed examination.
- Sports and manual labor can lead to health issues such as tennis elbow, which can affect workers in various fields, such as construction, meat cutting, and supermarket tasks.
- The condition of tennis elbow could lead to a more serious health issue called tendinosis, characterized by a hard, knotted mess in the tendon that refuses to heal on its own.
- Mental health is also important when dealing with chronic conditions like tennis elbow, as the pain and discomfort can lead to stress and anxiety.
- Health and wellness, including nutrition and fitness and exercise, are essential for maintaining a strong, healthy body to prevent and manage conditions like tennis elbow.
- If conservative treatments for tennis elbow like rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy aren't effective, doctors may consider minimally invasive therapies and treatments to alleviate the pain.
- Chronic diseases like COPD, type-2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis can impact a person's overall health and make them more susceptible to conditions like tennis elbow.
- Therapies and treatments for mental health can help manage the stress and anxiety that may accompany chronic physical conditions like tennis elbow, promoting overall well-being.
