New Delhi, May 2, 2018:
As per sources, “Ajay has a tennis elbow or Lateral Epicondylitis as it is called. And he is in so much pain, he can’t even lift his hand to pick up a cup of coffee. However, he has to finish the schedule because the producers have a set standing and they also have a combination of dates of Jimmy Sheirgill, Rakul and Tabu that they cannot afford to waste.”
According to Dr. Brajesh Koushle, Additional Director, Dept of Orthopaedics, Fortis Hospital, Noida :
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a painful medical condition which occurs when tendons become overloaded. It is usually caused by repetitive motions of wrist and arm. Repetitive motions may result in damage to tendon in your elbow. Any activity which involves extensive use of arm and wrist such as heavy lifting, painting, extension of your wrist or working on computers for too long may lead to tennis elbow. It is most common in those who are in their late 30s.
In case of tennis elbow, you’ll feel a painful sensation over the tendons that attach forearm muscles to a bony prominence outside the elbow (lateral epicondyle) and then the pain may radiate into forearm and wrist. At times it becomes difficult even to hold a coffee cup. One of the reasons of tennis elbow may include using plumbing tools and driving tools.
If you are playing tennis with repeated backhand stroke but the technique you are using is not current then it may also lead to tennis elbow.
It is more common in those who do intensive manual work in their day-to-day routine.
HOME REMEDIES
There are certain non-surgical treatments which you can try in order to prevent tennis elbow. These may include:
- Avoid doing extensive manual work. Working on computer for too long may aggravate the pain.
- You can try over-the-counter medicines like naproxen.
- Avoid repetitive motions of wrist and arm.
- Use tennis elbow braces.
- Gently apply ice at least 3 times a day.
- Do workout for at least 15 minutes every day.
- If you’re a sportsperson, make sure you are using right technique (specifically while playing badminton).
PHYSICAL THERAPY
If the aforementioned remedies don’t work then do consult your doctor. If it is related to tennis, he will suggest you to get your techniques evaluated by an expert.
The physical therapist will help you with some muscle stretching exercises. He may also suggest wearing a forearm brace in order to reduce stress on the injured tissue.
SURGICAL APPROACH
Tennis elbow often gets better by its own but if the non-surgical measures are not working then there are certain surgical approaches available which may help to alleviate the discomfort.
- If the pain exceeds a period of 1 year even after an extensive non-operative treatment then doctors suggest surgery to remove of damaged tissue.
- Your doctor might suggest Botox or injecting platelet-rich plasma.
- Ultrasonic tenotomy is a procedure in which doctor inserts a needle through the skin into the damaged tendon. Using ultrasonic energy vibrates the needle so that the damaged tissue can be suctioned out by liquefying it.