Sports medicine
What helps against lightning -like pain in the elbow
A tennis arm can not only torture athletes, but also craftsmen, hobby gardeners and people who work on the computer. About causes, treatments and helpful exercises.
What is a tennis arm or tennisel arch?
Experts call this “Lateral Epicondylitis” or “Epicondylitis Radialis Humeri”. Epicondylus is a bone advantage in the elbow, which belongs to the upper arm bone, “lateral” means to the side, here in the sense of outside. The words “radialis” and “humeri” are derived from the technical terms for forearm or upper arm bones. From an orthopedic point of view, “outside” means: the outer elbow part – when the arm hangs down and the palm of the hand points forward.
A pressure pain is typical of the tennis arm on the outer side of the elbow. In addition, stinging, partly closing pain occurs on the outer area of the elbow, which can also radiate into the forearm. The grip can be weakened.
What happens in the body?
An inflammatory reaction is the trigger for the pain. Flying cause is often an overload or overuse of the forearm muscles, and the tissue can come to the smallest cracks. The tendon approaches of the forearm stretcher muscles are affected, which have their origin on the elbow bones.
Who typically falls ill?
Tennis players who do sports as a hobby are often affected. However, the phenomenon can also occur in golfers or rowers. Non -athletes can also affect it, for example triggered by intensive gardening or working on the computer. Professional groups such as craftsmen or professional drivers are also among the tennis arm patients.
How is the disease diagnosed?
Usually the doctor already has a fairly clear picture after the clinical examination.
Typical are pressure pain on the outer elbow and pain in the case of rotary movements as well as flexion of the forearm and hand. In addition, loss of power in the hand and radiating pain can come. Special tests – for example, press the back of the hand against resistance when the arm is stretched – can trigger clear pain and bring clarity.
How do you treat the symptoms?
The therapy requires a lot of patience, it can take weeks for an improvement to occur. In most cases, it is sufficient to treat the tennis arm with conservative methods.
There are often rest, the use of cold batteries (wrapping in a cloth, do not put directly on the skin), anti-inflammatory tablets against the pain and avoiding certain loads. A training break is recommended for athletes to interrupt the overuse.
Further therapy options are: injection treatment with cortisone, Special arm cuffs, shock wave therapy.
Which exercises can help?
• Loosen the forearm muscles: press the wrist with the other hand when the arm is stretched and turn your arm out in the elbow; This stretches the forearm extensions.
• Spread your arm with your fingers even from top to bottom; Massage with the fingers on the outer elbow, where the hump of the upper arm bone and the painful tendon approach can be felt; Or put the pressure on the point with a tennis ball.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
