"Tennis elbow": symptomatology.
"Elbow of a tennis player" is nothing more than the degeneration of the muscular tissue at the junction with the external podmyshchelkom in the humerus.
A painful condition arises from the frequent work of the hand and, in particular, the muscles of the wrist. Extensor muscles of the wrist, attached to the external epicondyle, hurt at the place of attachment, due to constant turns and over-extension of the hand.
Because of the professional predisposition to this ailment of people whose vocation is associated with the work of the muscles of the wrist joint, the disease often develops on the working arm: right-handers on the right hand, and left-handers on the left, respectively.
Doctors can not yet accurately identify the causes of this pathology, but it is established that the violation of feeding the joint tissues, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, arthritis, microtraumas of the tendons, and the pinching of the tendons between the bony protrusions of the joint contribute to the development of epicondylitis.
Pain in the anterior and lateral parts of the elbow can mean the development of ailment. Painful sensations can also appear over the entire outer edge of the forearm, and the pain is greatly increased when the brush is turned up. Especially acute painful sensations appear when trying to squeeze a hand into a fist.
Without effective treatment, the pain will only increase. In neglected cases the patient is not able even to raise a glass with water, turn the key in the keyhole or press the door handle - all this causes him great pain.
Externally, the joint most often does not differ from healthy, even swelling is often absent. However, with palpation and pressing, the patient feels acute pain. What is characteristic, the strongest pain is felt when pressing on the epicondyle, muscle or area of tendons. On this basis, the muscular, tendon and epicondylar epicondylitis is isolated.
Treatment of "tennis elbow."
The methods of treatment of this disease are quite conservative. They imply rest and immobility of the elbow joint of the sick arm. For this, elastic bandages or special bandages can be used. Massage and dry heating of the diseased muscles will also prove very useful. In severe cases, when the pain is particularly acute, the hand can be fixed with a "kerchief" or even a gypsum, which is imposed for a period of about a month. With epicondylitis, physiotherapy is extremely effective and useful: laser, ultrasound, simulated currents, magnet, etc.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, ibuprofen, diclofenac or indomethacin, are prescribed with severe pain.
Sometimes local injections of anesthetics - novocaine, ice medicine, and hormone glucocorticoids - are prescribed.
In severe cases, if the disease is started, the patient is assigned an operative intervention. Of course, the need for surgery in each case is determined by the treating surgeon.
Impact on the elbow. Acupressure. Exercises.
For the prevention of this unpleasant disease, as well as for the removal of pain, you can retreat from conservative treatment methods.
Massage, including acupressure, and exercise therapy are mandatory procedures for the rehabilitation period after the end of treatment. Effects on the points perfectly relieve pain with a tennis elbow.
1. The first active point is the epicondyle of a healthy hand. A massage of the place, which is a mirror image of the most painful point on the other hand, gives a quick and visible result. A finger pad is applied to the point and slowly rotates clockwise. 50-60 rotations are enough for one session. Sessions can be held several times a day, even every hour.
2. The upper phalanx of the little finger of the opposite hand is the second active point. To knead the phalanx is necessary until the appearance of a tingling sensation and a slight numbness. You can also massage the phalanx several times a day.
3. The third active point is located above the patient's elbow, from the outside. It is located slightly above the ulnar fossa. It is necessary to bend the arm at the elbow and, pressing it to the trunk, put the forearm on the table. Massage is done clockwise with a healthy hand with slow rotational movements. With massage, you can use ointment, for example, "Chondroxide".
Physiotherapy. Exercises.
With the "elbow tennis player" it is necessary to engage in physical therapy - this will help restore the joint function.
The most well-deserved recognition is the exercise given below.
Both forearms are placed on the table, the palms can be turned both upwards and downwards - this is not a matter of principle. In this position it is necessary to tear off the palms of the table, without moving the forearms. In the absence of pain, you can add up to 1 kg in the palm of your hand.
You can independently make a sports projectile: a rope with a length of 50-80 cm is attached to a stick 30-40 cm, and to it - a load of up to 2 kg. It is necessary to stick to the wand so that the thumb is on the bottom. Taking this position, you need to wind the rope on the stick, while trying to lift the weight to the maximum height. In the exercise, both hands should be involved. Exercise can be repeated, taking the projectile back grip.
Another exercise with a stick and weights is to perform the movement in such a way as if you are pulling the fish on a fishing rod. It is carried out by two hands. Ideally, the weight should be torn off the floor.
Regular exercise to strengthen the muscles of the hands - a pledge to prevent "tennis elbow." With the development of this disease it is necessary to resort to physical exercises and acupressure - this will help relieve pain and return the functionality of the joint.