Hard work is part of life, but the pain shouldn’t be. Have you been using your arms a lot recently in sports or at your job? You might be feeling a burning pain that causes weakness in your elbows, forearm, and wrist. Sometimes, that pain doesn’t go away even after trying home remedies like rest or a hot compress. If this applies to you, you might have tennis elbow.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow is caused by a muscle strain when repetitive contractions happen in the forearm muscle. You might think that, because of the name, only tennis players suffer from tennis elbow. However, this is not true. Anyone who uses their arms frequently can get it. Some factors that affect your risk for tennis elbow include:
Age
As you grow older, your body becomes less durable. The linings of your joints wear down, and you heal more slowly. As such, the elderly are more likely to get tennis elbow, especially if they’re not careful about their physical activities.
Occupation
If your job relies on your physical strength, especially from your arms, you may be at risk for tennis elbow. Some occupations at risk are:
- Painters
- Plumbers
- Butchers
- Carpenters
Any occupation involving repetitive arm movement is likely to experience tennis elbow. It can go away on its own, but treatment can get you back to doing what you love more quickly.
Activities
You can get tennis elbow when you perform activities that demand intense and repetitive use of your hands and arms. It’s all the more likely if you don’t have proper form while engaging in a sport. Good form can help prevent tennis elbow, so it pays to practice the correct movements.
Injections For Tennis Elbow
There is a broad range of options for tennis elbow treatment. The type of treatment you need will depend on the severity of your condition and on the assessment of your doctor. Typically, you will only need injected medication.
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid medication is a type of pain reliever that your doctor will inject into the affected area. Doctors can apply it to different parts of your body, but in this case, it will be the outside of the elbow. Corticosteroid injections are typically paired with physical therapy to maximize the benefits of the treatment plan.
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a viable treatment for tennis elbow. Your doctor will take a sample of your blood and separate the plasma from the rest of the content using a centrifuge. This process separates the important platelet-rich plasma from the rest of your blood. Platelets speed up the healing process, which is how this treatment helps treat tennis elbow.
Once the plasma is ready, your doctor will inject it into the elbow. The whole procedure may take up to two hours to complete. Some patients only need one shot, while others may need multiple sessions for best results.
Tennis Elbow Treatment In Ellicott City
Tennis elbow is a condition that can affect anyone. People who perform repetitive motions with their arms are at greater risk than most. However, there are multiple injection treatment methods available to people suffering from tennis elbow, including corticosteroids and PRP therapy.
If you need tennis elbow treatment, visit Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland. We have a wealth of experience treating all types of orthopedic injuries and conditions. Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland has multiple locations for your convenience. For inquiries and appointments, call (410) 644-1880 or use our online request form.
