From swinging a golf club on the fairway to serving a tennis ball on the court, these repetitive actions can cause trauma to the arm, resulting in what is commonly known as golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow (medial and lateral epicondylitis). Gardening, going to the gym or any repetitive motions of the elbow are other types of activities that can bring on this condition. Here are some of the symptoms that are often felt in the elbow by those with this ailment:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Stiffness
Relief Through Injections
The medial (inside) and lateral (outside) areas of the elbow are affected with this condition. When the arm is stressed on a repetitive basis and a diagnosis is made, we can treat it by injecting the muscles that surrounds the little bones as well as on the bone itself with numbing medication. This injection technique relieves the pressure on the elbow.
Injections also break up tight tissue that is straining the connection point on the elbow. Breaking it up relieves some of the pressure which will assist in allowing the area to calm down.
Nurse practitioner Jessica DiSante will feel the insertion point of the muscle leading up to it, to find some tight tender muscular bands. These areas are then injected to relieve the pressure and break down the tight muscles. Injections are typically given twice a week for two weeks to start. If they start to provide relief, we can usually continue for another two weeks (twice a week). We find that most patients start getting relief after a week.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Before we provide treatment, we can make the diagnosis of golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow at the practice. We will develop a treatment plan that may include injections, ultrasound, muscle stimulation as well as manual muscle work to the area. To prevent flare-ups of the condition, we can teach exercises, stretches and protective practices.
If you think you have golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow, we want to help get you the relief you need. Contact South Hills Physical Medicine and Chiropractic today for an appointment!