[By Kyle Angelicola-Richardson, MD, St. Peter’s Orthopedics, St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates.]
Ask any professional who uses their hands for a living and they’ll be able to share a story of when they were sidelined by elbow pain.
Common causes of elbow pain are lateral or medial epicondylitis, overuse injuries better known as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. They are a type of tendonitis at the attachment of the forearm muscles at the elbow. They are most often a result of repetitive motion, eventually causing micro tears and inflammation. This leads to pain in the elbow and forearm as well as weakness in the wrist and hand that worsens with further activity.
Repetitive hand and wrist motions, such as those found in many common occupations, increase the risk of developing epicondylitis, as well as other overuse injuries. Additionally, our collective daily use of computers and smartphones has compounded the risk.
A simple case of epicondylitis can usually be diagnosed with a history and physical exam. In some cases, your physician may order an X-ray, an electromyogram (EMG) or an MRI to rule out other possible causes of elbow pain and weakness in your wrist and hand.
There’s no quick cure for epicondylitis but treatment can involve a number of strategies including:
REST
Rest is the first and most important step. This may require several weeks to be effective. If your injury is the result of stress in the workplace, as is most often the case, prolonged rest may be difficult. One possible solution is to work with your employer to adjust your work assignment until your elbow heals. It can also be helpful to redesign either your workspace or the motions you use to help prevent the problem from recurring.
PAIN RELIEF
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen (Aleve) can help relieve the pain as well as reduce swelling and inflammation. A steroid injection may be used for more direct anti-inflammatory treatment as well.
KEEP IT COOL
Ice packs used three or four times a day for 15 minutes each time can help reduce swelling.
THERAPY
A physical or occupational therapist can prescribe specific stretching and strengthening exercises to help decrease pain and help you recover. They may provide manual therapies such as tissue massage, bracing and kinesiotaping. Your therapist may also review your body mechanics, suggesting approaches and modifications to your movements and the tools you use that, together, can decrease strain on your body.
If you notice pain in your hand, wrist or forearm with twisting or gripping motions, don’t ignore it. Rest your arm and make changes in your tools or technique to address the problem and head off even more painful symptoms and possible surgical interventions down the road.
St. Peter’s Orthopedics, a practice of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates, recently opened its doors at 1182 Troy-Schenectady Road, Suite 100, in Latham. The location is the new go-to for joint pain and injury, with on-site imaging, expert care, and personalized treatments to help patients move better, faster, and with less pain.
St. Peter’s Orthopedics provides relief from all of your injuries, whether you face back and spine pain; repairs to elbows, hands, fingers, feet, ankles, shoulders, knees, and hips; or robotic-assisted joint replacement techniques and custom planning for replacements that last longer and feel more natural.
St. Peter’s Orthopedics prides itself on its team approach to care: Surgeons, nurses, therapists, and case managers all working together to guide your recovery. From prevention to recovery — imaging, therapy, surgery and rehab — it’s all connected through St. Peter’s Orthopedics.
For more information, please call 518-269-4690 or visit St. Peter’s Orthopedics – Moves – Services | St. Peter’s Health Partners.
