Elbow complaints

The elbow is a complex joint which bridges the upper and the lower arm. There are a number of causes which can lead to elbow complaints. Following a fracture of the wrist, lower arm or upper arm, or after other traumatic injuries, the mobility of the elbow can become impaired. The Orthopaedic Manual Therapist can apply safe techniques to restore mobility and functionality of the joints involved.

A highly prevalent elbow complaint is ‘tennis elbow’. In the Orthopaedic Manual Therapist’s eyes, the cause of the pain within the muscles and tendons surrounding the elbow is often due to movement dysfunctions within the neck which causing radiating pain into the arm. A thorough assessment is generally highly conclusive. This alternative approach to ‘tennis elbow’ leads to good results. The location of the pain is often not the site which causes the complaint. Based on the location of the pain, the therapist can deduct what the primary cause of your complaint is.

Tennis elbow (Epicondylitis Lateralis)

With a tennis elbow, there is a presence of tendon inflammation which leads to complaints where the extensors of the wrist insert onto the elbow. If the complaints persist for more than 3 months, this is referred to as a chronic tennis elbow. The Orthopaedic Manual Therapist is also specialized in treating complaints of chronic nature.

Causes:

• Repetitive movements of the wrist/elbow.
• Heavy/static loading of the wrist extensor muscles.
• Abnormalities/limitations in wrist mobility.
• Incorrect technique when practicing sports that require repetitive use of the arms (Tennis being a risk factor; hence the name).
• Trauma of the wrist and/or elbow region.

Assessment:

Through diagnostics, the therapist can determine whether a tennis elbow is present. This is followed by an evaluation of the primary cause which led to the complaint. Both the shoulder and the neck could have a direct influence on this.

Treatment:

• Postural/ergonomic advice for at home and/or at work.
• Optimization of neck/shoulder/elbow/wrist mobility.
• Detonization/treatment of the wrist extensors using various techniques.

Golfers elbow (Epycondylitis Medalis)

With a golfers elbow, there is a presence of tendon inflammation which leads to complaints where the flexors of the wrist insert onto the elbow. If the complaints persists for more than 3 months, this is referred to as a chronic golfers elbow. The Orthopaedic Manual Therapist is also specialized in treating complaints of chronic nature.

Causes:

• Repetitive movements of the wrist/elbow.
• Heavy/static loading of the wrist flexor muscles.
• Abnormalities/limitations in wrist mobility.
• Incorrect technique when practicing sports that require repetitive use of the arms (Golf being a risk factor; hence the name).
• Trauma of the wrist and/or elbow region.

Assessment:

Through diagnostics, the therapist can determine whether a golfers elbow is present. This is followed by an evaluation of the primary cause which led to the complaint. Both the shoulder and the neck could have a direct influence in this.

Treatment:

• Postural/ergonomic advice for at home and/or at work.
• Optimization of neck/shoulder/elbow/wrist mobility.
• Detonization/treatment of the wrist flexors using various techniques.