Category: Injuries Guide
What is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)?
Tennis Elbow is also known as Lateral Epicondylitis is considered a cumulative trauma injury.Tennis elbow is a common injury and got it’s name as tennis elbow because tennis players are often prone to get this injury. This condition occurs in response to inflammation and degeneration of the tendon that attaches to the muscles of the forearm, specifically, the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle.
How is Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) caused?
Lateral Epicondylitis is caused by the overuse of the wrist extensors (muscles that pull the hand up) can create cumulative stress on the tendons that attach to the elbow at the outer part (the lateral epicondyle). This excessive stress may damage the muscle attachment and cause inflammation and pain. Generally, those who experience lateral epicondylitis perform activities with motion of the wrist and arm, or lifting while the palm is facing down. The condition is quite common in the late 30s and early 40s. In racket sports such as table-tennis, lawn-tennis, badminton… intense gripping can lead to tennis elbow. It appears to be caused by lack of strength, inefficient technique, improper equipment or increasing playing time and intensity too quickly. In tennis, a common cause is a racquet’s inappropriate string tension and grip circumference. Sometimes the inflammation is caused by a direct injury or impact. Occasionally, when the cause is direct injury or strain, the muscles may partially tear.
Rarely the inflammation comes on without any definite cause, and this may be due to an arthritis, rheumatism or gout. Sometimes the problem is partly or completely due to a neck problem, which is causing pain in the elbow via the nerves from the neck.
The area of most pain is usually near the bone on the outer side of the elbow known as the lateral epicondyle. This area is usually tender when touched and may be uncomfortable when gripping. In severe cases, almost any elbow movement can be uncomfortable.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis):
- Pain on the outside of the Elbow, usually during or after intense use.
- Weakness in the wrist.
- In some cases, lifting or grasping even light racquets may be difficult or painful.
- Pain in the outside of the elbow when the hand is bent back (extended) at the wrist against resistance.
- Pain on the outside of the elbow when trying to straighten the fingers against resistance.
- Pain when pressing in on the bony bit on the outside of the elbow.
Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow):
- Rest the elbow and apply R.I.C.E.treatment (Rest , Ice , Compression , Elevation) for the first two days.
- See a doctor who could prescribe some anti-inflammatory medication. In chronic or intense cases, a cortisone injection may relieve the discomfort.
- Wear a brace or support to protect the tendon during the healing and strengthening process, particularly when returning to your sports.
- If non-surgical forms of treatment do not eliminate the pain of this condition, surgery may be recommended.
When can I return to my sport or activity ?
The goal of any rehabilitation program is to return you to your sport or activity as soon and as safely as possible. But, if you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Returning to your sport or activity will be determined by recovering ability, the sooner your wrist recovers, the soon you would be able to return to your sport or activity. Returning to your sport or activity is not determined by how many days or weeks have passed since your injury had occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms of the injury, the longer it will take you to get better.
You may return to your sport or activity when each of the following is true:
- The injured elbow has full range of motion without any pain.
- Your doctor may allow you to return to competition with your elbow taped or in a brace.
- Your injured elbow, hand, and forearm have the same strength as it was there before the injury.
- You must not have any pain when doing activities such as swinging a bat or a racquet or performing tumbling in gymnastics.
Tennis Elbow Cure and Remedy for it
- Go for ultrasound or laser treatment.
- Take a massage from a physician.
- Go to a doctor who can advise on rehabilitation.
- Take some anti-inflammatory medication.
- A steroid injection may me needed.
- Operation my be done if the condition is too bad.
Rest is a very important component in the healing of this injury. It may heal quickly within two weeks but you could suffer with this problem for up to two years. When the symptoms have settled down it is essential you fully rehabilitate and strengthen the elbow and follow guidelines that will help you avoid the injury in the future:
- Correct technique - play the backhand with the arm not the wrist!
- Use a forearm brace or heat retainer if you have a weak wrist or elbow.
- Do not play with wet, heavy balls.
- Use a light racket if you do not play very often.
- Make sure that strings of your racquet are not too tight.
Category: Injuries Guide
What is Runner’s knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?
Runner’s knee is also known as patellofemoral pain and is pain behind the kneecap. It has been given many names, including patellofemoral disorder, patellar malalignment, runner’s knee, and chondromalacia.
How does Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain) occur?
Patellofemora pain is common among the runners. Runners Knee occur due to overuse of the knee in sports such as cricket, football, race, hockey, basketball and other activities such as running, walking, jumping, or bicycling.
The kneecap (patella) is attached to the large group of muscles in the thigh called the quadriceps. It is also attached to the shin bone by the patellar tendon. The kneecap fits into grooves in the end of the thigh bone (femur) called the femoral condyle. By repeated bending and straightening of the knee, you may irritate the inside surface of the kneecap and cause pain or it may completely rupture the ligament.
Runner’s Knee also may result from the way your hips, legs, knees, or feet are aligned. This alignment problem can be caused by your having wide hips or underdeveloped thigh muscles, being knock-kneed, or having feet with arches that collapse when walking or running (a condition called over-pronation).
Symptoms of Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain):
- Severe pain behind the kneecap.
- Pain while you are walking or running or if you sit at a place for a long time.
- The pain generally becomes worse while you are walking downhill or down stairs. Your knee may swell at times.
- You may feel or hear snapping, popping, or grinding in the knee.
Treatment of Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain):
- Rest the knee and if there is swelling then apply R.I.C.E. treatment.(Rest , Ice , Compression , Elevation )
- Elevate your knee by placing a pillow underneath your leg while you are sitting.
- Anti-inflammatory medication may help reduce inflammation and pain.
- See a sports injury specialist who can advise on treatment and provide a full rehabilitation program including self massage techniques.
- Take a glucosamine sulphate supplement. Glucosaimne Sulphate along with Chondroitin has been shown to aid in the healing joint injuries.
When can I return to my sport or activity?
The goal of any rehabilitation program is to return you to your sport or activity as soon and as safely as possible. But, if you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Returning to your sport or activity will be determined by your recovering ability, the sooner your knee recovers, the sooner you will be able to return to your sport or activity. Returning to your sport or activity is not determined by how many days or weeks have passed since your injury occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms of the injury, the longer it will take you to get better.
You may safely return to your sport or activity when, each of the following is true:
- Your injured knee can be fully straightened and bent without any pain.
- Your knee and leg have regained normal strength as it was there before the injury.
- You are able to jog straight ahead without any pain or limping.
- You are able to sprint straight ahead without any pain or limping.
- You are able to jump on your both legs without any pain.
Prevention of Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain):
Patellofemoral pain syndrome can best be prevented by strengthening your thigh muscles, particularly the inside part of this muscle group. It is also important to wear shoes that fit well and that have good arch supports. Runners knee is also prevented by doing proper warm ups such as running, sit ups or with the help of any of the popular fitness equipments such as treadmill, steppers, dumbbells, home gyms, exercise bikes, strength trainers, etc ..before starting any sport.
A Sports Injury Professional or Doctor could:
- Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication e.g. ibuprofen. Anti-inflammatory medication helps to reduce inflammation, especially in the early stages of injury.
- Use ultrasound or laser treatment.
- Give a massage.
- Prescribe a full rehabilitation program.
- Advise on a gradual return to fitness.
Category: Injuries Guide
What is Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is pain and stiffness in the lower back. It is one of the most common reasons people miss their work.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is usually caused when a ligament or muscle holding a vertebra in its proper position is strained. Vertebrae are segments of bone which form the spinal column through which the spinal cord passes. When these muscles or ligaments become weak, the spine loses its stability, resulting in pain and stiffness. Because nerves reach all parts of the body from the spinal cord, back problems can lead to pain or weakness in almost any part of the body.
Lower back pain can occur if your job involves lifting and carrying heavy objects, or if you spend a lot of time sitting or standing in one position or bending over. It can be caused by a fall or by unusually strenuous exercise. It can be brought on by the tension and stress that cause headaches in some people. It can even be brought on by violent sneezing or coughing.
People who are overweight may have low back pain because of the added stress on their back.
Back pain may occur when the muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissues of the back become inflamed as a result of an infection or an immune system problem. Arthritic disorders as well as some congenital and degenerative conditions may cause back pain.
Lower back pain accompanied by loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty in moving your legs, or numbness or tingling in your arms or legs may indicate an injury to your spine and nerves, which requires immediate medical treatment.
Symptoms of Lower Back Pain:
- A sudden sharp pain in the back.
- Possible swelling or bruising over the area of the rupture.
- Difficulty in moving - bending forwards, sideways or straightening.
- The pain may be continuous or may occur only in certain positions. It may be aggravated by coughing, sneezing, bending, twisting, or straining during a bowel movement. The pain may occur in only one spot or may spread to other areas, most commonly down the buttocks and into the back of the thigh.
Treatment of Lower Back Pain:
- After the initial injury, apply heat from a electric heating pad or hot water bottle.
- Rest in bed on a firm mattress. Often it helps to lie on your back with your knees raised. However, some people prefer to lie on their side with their knees bent.
- Take some anti-inflamatory meditation.
- See a physical therapist who could provide a massage.
- Wear a belt or corset to support your back.
When can I return to my sport or activity?
The goal of any rehabilitation program is to return you to your sport or activity as soon and as safely as possible. But, if you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Returning to your sport will be determined by your recovering ability, the soon your back recovers, the soon you may return to your sport or activity. Returning to your sport or activity is not determined by how many days or weeks have passed since your injury occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms of the injury, the longer it will take you to get better.
It is important that you have fully recovered from your lower back pain before you return to your sport or any strenuous activity. You must be able to have the same range of motion that you had before your injury. You must be able to run, jump and twist without pain.
What can I do to prevent Low Back Pain?
You can reduce the strain on your back by doing the following:
- Don’t push with your arms when you move a heavy object. Turn around and push backwards with your legs so the strain is taken by your legs.
- Whenever you sit, sit in a straight-backed chair and hold your spine against the back of the chair.
- Bend your knees and hips and keep your back straight when you lift a heavy object.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects higher than your waist.
- Hold packages you carry close to your body, with your arms bent.
- Use a footrest for one foot when you stand or sit in one spot for a long time. This keeps your back straight.
- Bend your knees when you bend over.
- Sit close to the pedals when you drive and use your seat belt and a hard backrest or pillow.
- Lie on your side with your knees bent when you sleep or rest. It may help to put a pillow between your knees.
- Put a pillow under your knees when you sleep on your back.
- Raise the foot of the bed 8 inches to discourage sleeping on your stomach unless you have other problems that require that you keep your head elevated.
Back Pain If you are suffering from back pain use this link and you will become all right in a weeks time.
To rest your back, hold each of these positions for 5 minutes or longer:
- Lie on your back, bend your knees, and put pillows under your knees.
- Lie on your back, put a pillow under your neck, bend your knees to a 90-degree angle, and put your lower legs and feet on a chair.
- Lie on your back, bend your knees, and bring one knee up to your chest and hold it there. Repeat with the other knee, then bring both knees to your chest. When holding your knee to your chest, grab your thigh rather than your lower leg to avoid over flexing your knee.
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