"Tennis elbow" and "Golfer's elbow"
You’ve probably come across the name of a certain disease “tennis elbow” and/or “golfer’s elbow.” (The other day I read a heated correspondence here about this from one of my friends under a post - they advised and advised us...) These names are directly related not only to tennis/golf - these are only associations due to the characteristic swing for hitting the ball (they differ in the opposite sides). And by the correct medical term we call these syndromes Lateral (external) and Medial (internal) Epicondylitis (epicondyle - epicondyles, or simply bony protrusions-bumps in the elbow outside and inside). You can also hear the diagnosis Tendinitis or Tendinosis (derived from the Latin tendo - tendon and it is - inflammation) - this is a disease characterized by an inflammatory process in the muscle ligaments and in the tissues around them. The source of inflammation is located at the junction of the bone and ligament, but sometimes spreads throughout the tendon. With constant injury, there may even be chronic tendonitis.
Why does it hurt? Pain usually occurs as a result of certain physical activity associated with professional and/or sports activities. Straining the hand and elbow with typical work - a screwdriver/spatula, bags of groceries, a computer mouse... And if you are a housewife, don’t look for the reason - it happens that due to underuse of the hand, even with a minimal (you won’t even remember) load inflammation will occur.
How to prevent inflammation? I will say that probably every person in his life has experienced anxiety and/or even inflammation of the named syndrome. Only the one who listens to himself and has the opportunity to prevent deepening inflammation is more likely to prevent this. I repeat - the sooner you start treatment (of any disease), the easier and faster you will recover. As soon as you feel weakness in the hand and/or some tingling in the elbow area, seek help (for example, from me).
How to treat? It all depends on the severity of the syndrome. In the initial stage of the disease, it is enough to leave your hand alone for some days - eliminate the typical load. Ice helps locally (remember, no more than seven minutes at a time, with breaks). If it already hurts, you will need my help. These are some medical massage techniques, needles and tapes, shock wave therapy helps. The use of an orthosis (on the carpal bend) will help. In rehabilitation, it is important to eliminate any biomechanical disorders that could lead to the initial injury. If it is possible to get medications from a competent doctor, a course of anti-inflammatory and sometimes even painkillers is possible. In the most extreme case, sometimes you can even resort to a “blockade” - an injection of glucocorticosteroids, a “cocktail” of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs (Attention! Only with a doctor in his specialty and only in the medical center!). Be patient - healing of this syndrome in an advanced state will take a long period.
19/05/2025