Ease your pain caused by tennis elbow
In our daily life, we encounter different types of painful condition. Tennis elbow is common among them. Sometimes we feel pain while wringing clothes or any twisting movement. Actually, that is the first symptom of tennis elbow.
Symptoms of tennis elbow include:
* Painful elbow, mostly in the outer part
* Pain while wringing the washed clothes
* Pain while using a wrench
* Pain and discomfort in any hand activity
* Pain from activities that use the muscles that extend the wrist e. g. pouring a container of liquid, lifting with the palm down, sweeping, especially where wrist movement is required.
The pain is usually located at the outer part of elbow, specifically at the common extensor tendon.
Treatment include medication and physiotherapy.
Medication: Although anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly prescribed for tennis elbow, the evidence for their effect is usually anecdotal with only limited studies showing benefits.
A systematic review found that topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may improve pain in the short term (up to 4 weeks) but was unable to draw firm conclusions due to methodological issues. Evidence for oral NSAIDs is mixed. Some therapeutic supplement such are helpful.
Physiotherapy: The best option for treating a tennis elbow is physiotherapy. But, we must consult with an expert physiotherapist. Otherwise, it may increase the pain. Different procedure and modalities for physiotherapy treatment are given below.
* Rest and splinting (tennis elbow support). This must use during activity, not during rest
* Cryotherapy — ice cold pack for 15 minutes only.
* Electrical stimulation (Faradism)
* Active exercise for elbow and shoulder — isometric exercise.
* Deep Transverse Friction (DTF)
* Methodological manipulation
* LASER treatment
* Stretching and progressive strengthening exercise to prevent re-irritation of the tendon
* Relaxation exercise for affected muscle
* Dry needling therapy
The writer is the Chief Consultant at DPRC Hospital, Shyamoli, Dhaka. E-mail: [email protected]
Comments