Tennis elbow (lateral epicondyles)and Golfer’s elbow, (medial epicondylitis) is a painful condition of the elbow caused by overuse.It is a type of tendinitis,swelling of the tendons that causes pain in the elbow and arm.Tennis elbow is an inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow. The forearm muscles and tendons become damaged from overuse repeating the same motions again and again. This leads to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow.
Elbow joint is a joint made up of three bones: upper arm bone(humerus) and the two bones in forearm (radius and ulna). There are bony bumps at the bottom of the humerus called epicondyles. The bony bump on the outside (lateral side) of the elbow is called the lateral epicondyle. Muscles, ligaments, and tendons hold the elbow joint together. Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, involves the muscles and tendons of forearm.
CAUSES
Tennis elbow can develop by doing any form of activity that involves repeatedly twisting your wrist and using your forearm muscles. playing racquet sports such as tennis, badminton or squash,throwing sports such as the javelin or discus ,using shears while gardening using a paintbrush or roller,manual work such as plumbing or bricklaying,activities that involve fine,repetitive hand and wrist movements such as using scissors or typing .other activities that involve repeatedly bending the elbow such as playing the violin.when extensor carpi radialis brevis is weakened from overuse, microscopic tears form in tendon. This leads to inflammation and pain when elbow bends and straightens, the muscle rubs against bony prominances,which causes gradual wear and tear of muscles.in some cases these can cause as an insidious onset.
What Are Tennis Elbow Symptoms and Signs?
Tenderness on the outside of the elbow,pain or burning on outer (tennis elbow),inner (golfer’s elbow),weakness of hand,pain while lifting objects and dull ache in resting posture,symptoms worsened with forearm activity,Morning stiffness of the elbow with persistent aching,Soreness of the forearm muscles.Elbow pain is worse when grasping or holding objects.
AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
Vatahara medicines ,mild abhyanga with herbal oils like Dhanwantaram,Karpooradi,Prasarinyadi.
Swedana (fomentation),bandana (bandage)with murivenna,patrapindaswedanam,churnapinda swedanam,lepanam,pichu,shastikashali pinda sweda to heal the tendon and to rejuvenate or strengthen elbow. These treatments are recommended depending on the severity of conditions. These treatments aims to cure the root cause, that is to reduce inflammation and strain to the affected tendon.
EXERCISES- Should only be done when pain is under control.1.Back ward wrist stretch-flex with backward with the help of other hand till you feel comfortable. Hold for 15 sec and repeat for 10 to 2min.2.frontwrist stretch-flex wrist in opposite direction.3.back and front wrist clasp-clasp your hands in back and front and straighten your arms.
DR DEVI GIRISH
DR VARSHA DEEPESH
AYURCARE AYURVEDIC WELLNESS CENTRE ,DUBAI