Epicondylitis is a musculoskeletal disorder which refers to the inflammation of the elbow tendons (these attach the muscles of the forearm just above the elbow at a small bony bump on the outer face) referred to as epicondyle.
Epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is a typical disease of the tennis player, but not only, far from it.
This pain that starts from the point of the elbow may also cause suffering to many other athletes (golf, rowing, fitness). Regular handymen and especially those overworked (screw, pour, grip are the most often gestures at the origin of epicondylitis) also suffer from this pain.
Therapists at Parsippany Physical Therapy in Parsippany, NJ, will help you identify the gestures responsible of your epicondylitis.
This is the most common disease of the elbow. Work is the main cause of epicondylitis, far ahead than leisure.
Initially, the epicondyle is only painful to the touch. Then, gradually, the pain can be felt during repetitive and intensive movements of the arm or hand.
This pain typically occurs with repeating gestures causing inflammation of the elbow. But sometimes, it’s simply by unfolding the arm, trying to grasp objects by extending the arm or during rotational movements like the one performed when turning a doorknob. The pain may spread to the inner side of the forearm. Typically, the pain decreases through resting.
To confirm the diagnosis, Physical Therapists at Parsippany Physical Therapy in Parsippany, NJ, reproduce the pain by pressing the epicondyle.
Epicondylitis is treated primarily by resting the affected arm. This healing can take time and medications only relieve pain. The tendon remains fragile for quite some time and patients must not resume normal activity immediately at risk of fostering tendon rupture.
That is why, it is necessary to seek treatment and rehabilitation with physical therapists in Parsippany, NJ. Different techniques are used, all of which aim to promote healing of the tendon and the continuation of relief.
The physical therapist can perform a manual treatment called deep transverse massage that stimulates the tendon repair. Therapists in Parsippany, NJ, advise muscle strengthening exercises of the forearm, but only when the pain is gone.
Moreover, treatments that are indicated for epicondylitis are shock waves, laser therapy (especially for women) and ultrasound. These treatments stimulate the body to repair micro lesions in the tendon.
Physical Therapists at Parsippany Physical Therapy in Parsippany, NJ, objectives for the management of patients with tennis elbow are decreased pain, increased strength of the epicondyle muscles, and a restoration of wrist extension and supination of the forearm link with the patient’s activities.
