Elbow Injury Rehab Center
The elbow is prone to injuries. For recovery, elbow physical therapy is necessary. Contact OneRehab for the services.
Elbow Injury
The elbow joint refers to the section where the distal humerus or the long bone on the arm joins the proximal radius and the ulna bones, the other two bones in your arm. It is known as a hinge joint that allows the arm to bend. Twisting your arm happens when the upper part of the radius rotates.
There are many ways a person can experience pain in the elbow. Such as inflammation of the soft tissues, which include tendons and ligaments. Managing pain on the elbow or its dysfunction is crucial in physiotherapy. We have unmatched therapists with the knowledge and the skills on how to manage the 3-joint elbow.
Types of Elbow Injury
- Biceps/Triceps tendon injuries
- Elbow bursitis
- Elbow Ligament/Tommy John Injuries
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
- Elbow cartilage injuries
- Ulnar Nerve/Cubital Tunnel
Elbow therapy entails exercises to help patients strengthen muscles, thus reducing pain. We offer a wide range of activities that reduce stiffness and inflammation of the joint.
Biceps/Triceps Tendon Injuries
Primary flexors (biceps) and extensors (triceps) are muscles located on the elbow joint. Biceps are crucial to rotating your arm as you perform certain activities such as turning a doorknob or a screwdriver. These biceps and triceps begin as tendons near the shoulder, transitioning to muscles at the upper arm’s center and ending as tendons near the elbow.
An injury can occur at any location. However, the most common injury is when the tendon embeds itself on the elbow’s bone. These are prevalent injuries arising after a forceful and sudden movement.
What are the Symptoms?
- Hearing or experiencing a pop sensation on the elbow
- Inability to extend the arm/elbow leading to pain
- Swelling or bruising
- Weakness
- Visible arm deformity as the muscle detracts from the elbow
- Muscle cramp
Causes
- Sports
- Aggressive fitness activities
- Forceful lifting
- Sudden activities
- Manual Labor
Treatment and Management
In cases of a complete tear, surgical options can rectify the tear. Visiting a doctor for evaluation is essential in determining the injury’s extent and the best treatment option. Physical therapy for biceps/triceps tendon injuries focuses on using selected exercises to address the condition. Our therapists offer activities that help with strength and stretching for recovery.
Elbow Bursitis
Olecranon bursa refers to a thin, fluid-filled sac found in the bony elbow tip (olecranon). The body contains many bursae located in various parts, acting as cushions between soft tissues and the bones. In them, they have lubricating fluid allowing free movement of the tissues. The olecranon bursa is flat. When it is irritated, more fluid accumulates, leading to bursitis.
An injury can occur at any location. However, the most common injury is when the tendon embeds itself on the elbow’s bone. These are prevalent injuries arising after a forceful and sudden movement.
Causes of Elbow Bursitis
- Trauma when a hard blow to the bursa leads to an accumulation of fluid and swelling.
- Infection can lead to the development of pus in the bursa
- Prolonged pressure, such as leaning on hard surfaces on the elbow tip, can cause swelling of the bursa.
- Medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms
- Swelling
- Pain
- Redness on the elbow
Treatment and Management
In the cases where the condition results from an infection, treating the infection resolves the problem. The doctor can also remove the excess fluid using a needle. If it is not caused by infection, a patient can use elbow pads to cushion the elbow. It is also recommended to change any activities that cause pain to the elbow. Other medications can help in reducing pain and inflammation.
In cases where the infected bursa does not recover, surgery is an option. A patient can also undergo elbow physical therapy to help in recovery after the surgery.
Patient Wellbeing is Our Primary Concern
You can get elbow physical therapy to alleviate pain and improve strength. Get in touch with us today.
Elbow Cartilage Injuries
Smooth coverings on the ends of the bone are known as cartilage. Injuries on the cartilages are common, with the most common one on the elbow being osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). It affects the outer part of the humerus bone (capitulum), though it can occur on any other part. Elbow arthritis can also occur where it affects a large part of the cartilage.
Symptoms
- Elbow pain
- A grinding sound or sensation
- Decreased range of motion
- Swelling
- Locking, clicking, or catching of the elbow as you try to straighten or bend it
Causes
- A fall or accident or any other traumatic injury
- Repetitive lifting or loading with the elbow joint
- Repetitive overuse
Treatment and Management
Restricting activities is one of the ways the elbow cartilage can recover. Pain management pills also help with reducing pain and inflammation on the elbow. Another non-operative method is physical therapy to manage the condition. We create custom-designed exercises to help patients suffering from the disorder. Our leading elbow physical therapists help patients with activity modification to ease the pain.
Elbow Ligament / Tommy John Injuries
Repeated stress from overhead movement can cause ulnar collateral ligament injury. It is commonly associated with athletes in baseball or javelin. This ligament is also referred to as the Tommy John ligament. It is located on the inside part of the elbow (medial), closest to the body.
What Causes UCL Injury?
- Repetitive overhead movement and throwing
- Falling and landing on your arm
- An outside force on the arm causing it to collapse inward
What are the Symptoms?
- Pain inside the medial part of the elbow
- A decline in elbow motion
- A popping sound or sensation
- Unable to throw objects
- A decrease in control, velocity, and stamina
Treatment and Management
Treating a UCL injury depends on an individual patient’s need. Factors such as hand dominance, athletic career goals, sport, location of the damage, and injury extent can determine the best treatment approach.
Rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and applying ice are some of the non-surgical measures a patient can take. Once the inflammation has gone down, working with a physical therapist becomes essential. We have a fully equipped ulna collateral ligament physical therapy clinic to help patients recover after an injury.
Tommy John Surgery or UCL reconstruction is an option that helps patients get treatment. The surgery involves taking a tendon from another body part, which serves as the new UCL. Once you go through this surgery, joining a rehab center helps in recovery. Our professionals work with patients to increase their range of motion and strengthen the new ligament.
Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Medial epicondylitis refers to a type of tendonitis affecting the inside of the elbow. Connection of the forearm muscle tendon with the bony part located inside the elbow leads to this condition. The tendons get attached to the bones. Getting an injury or irritation can cause swelling and pain. Though it is known as the golfer’s elbow, it can affect other professionals such as tennis players.
Symptoms
- Pain in your elbow
- Wrist and hand weakness
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the fingers
- Difficulties with elbow movement
Treatment and Management
Resting can help with the treatment of the condition. You can also use over-the-counter drugs to address pain in the elbow. Patients can also use a brace, thus reducing muscle strain and tendonitis. Physical therapy for a golfer’s elbow helps with safe exercises for stretching and strengthening the affected tendon. Our therapy program also addresses numbness.
Surgery is also an option to address the condition. It is referred to as an open medial epicondylar release. A surgeon makes an incision on the front of your arm. Then, they cut the tendon removing the damaged tissue, and reattach it. Physical therapy helps facilitate recovery for patients who have gone through surgery.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow refers to the swelling of the tendons causing pain on the elbow and arm. Athletes are not the only people who get this condition. Others such as plumbers, butchers, painters, and carpenters can get the disorder. The most common symptom is feeling pain when lifting an object or performing an activity with your arm.
Management and Treatment
Often, the condition becomes better on its own. However, over-the-counter drugs help with pain management. The most important way to manage the condition is through physical therapy for the tennis elbow. After an assessment, our physical therapists create a tailor-made plan to help improve the condition.
Ulnar Nerve/Cubital Tunnel
Ulnar nerve injury is a result of compression or irritation of the ulna nerve in the arm. The ulna nerve is among the three nerves located in your arm. It moves down from the neck to your arm. There are many locations as it travels down that never can be constricted.
The most common place this restriction occurs is behind the elbow in the inside part. When it happens at this location, it is known as the cubital tunnel syndrome.
Symptoms
- Tingling and numbness in the little and the ring fingers
- Falling asleep feeling in the ring or little finger, especially when the elbow is bent
- Grip weakening and finger coordination difficulty
- Muscle wasting in the hand when compression has happened for a long time
Treatment and Management
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines help with managing symptoms that have just begun by reducing inflammation and pain. A patient may also need to use a padded brace or wear a splint at night that keeps the elbow straight. Physiotherapy also helps patients with nerve gliding exercises. These exercises are useful in preventing stiffness in the arm.
A doctor can also recommend surgical methods. There are a few surgical procedures that can help in relieving the pressure. The procedures include cubital tunnel release, ulnar nerve anterior transposition, and medial epicondylectomy, all helping to release the nerve.
Physical therapy is recommended after surgery to help with regaining motion and strengthening the arm. If you are looking for elbow physical therapy near me, we provide a custom program to assist in recovery after surgery.
Elbow Physical Therapy Exercises
Early treatment for an elbow injury focuses on reducing pain, regaining range of motion, and reducing swelling. Tennis elbow therapy is an effective way of addressing these injuries. When you visit our center, the therapist examines the elbow to determine the extent of the condition and the affected structures. If you have an acute injury, the therapist can also check your neck for referred pain. Correct diagnosis leads to successful treatment.
The physiotherapists then design a specific tennis elbow rehab program to treat the affected structures. Treatment often entails exercises you can do at home and the center. Additionally, they can administer treatment in phases to ensure all the affected areas are treated. Some of the techniques that we use include:
- Hands-on Therapy for joint mobilization and improving flexibility
- Dry needling
- Hydrotherapy
- Massage
- Taping, splinting, or braces
- Heat or ice
hese methods help relieve pain and swelling. During elbow therapy, the physiotherapist also provides patient education.
T You learn how to safely exercise at home to prevent reinjury and achieve quick recovery. Some of the exercises you can perform include:
Elbow Flexion
Elbow flexion refers to the ability to bend the elbow. When you want to improve the range of motion around the elbow, you can perform this exercise:
- Start from a standing position with the injured arm at your side.
- Then, bend the elbow up as far as you can and hold the wrist or forearm with the other hand as you gently apply pressure.
- Keep it in position for about 10 seconds and straighten the elbow to release the stretch.
- Repeat the exercise severally. Follow the advice from the physical therapists if you have a chronic injury to avoid injuring more structures.
Elbow and Forearm Pronation
When you pronate your forearm, you turn over your hand, and the palm faces the floor. Inability to do this can affect activities of daily living such as pouring coffee. This exercise is ideal for physical therapy for elbow pain. To do the exercises follow these steps.
- From a standing or sitting position, bend the elbow at 90 degrees and tuck it to the side.
- Then, turn your wrist and hand over as far as you can, reaching the opposite hand over the top of the forearm.
- Grab the wrist as you turn the injured arm further into a pronated state.
- Stay in that position for about 10 seconds as you apply pressure and release.
- Repeat the exercises about 10 times.
Forearm Supination
One of the elbow physical therapy exercises your PT will perform is turning over the elbow. Supination refers to turning over your wrist, leaving the hand facing up. It’s a movement occurring at the elbow and the wrist joints. When you want to build this ability to improve range of motion, the following exercise is ideal.
- Start from a sitting or standing position with your arm by your side and bend the elbow at about 90 degrees.
- Keeping the elbow by your side, turn the wrist and your hand over and keep the palm facing up.
- Use the other hand to reach under the forearm and grab the wrist gently to add pressure as you turn the arm further into supination. Once you feel the stretch, hold the position for about 10 seconds.
- Repeat the stretch 10 times.
Elbow Extension
When you injure the elbow, your ability to stretch out fully is affected. Your therapist can include this stretch as part of your physical therapy exercises for the tennis elbow to increase flexibility.
- While sitting on a chair, rest the elbow on a table. You can rest the upper arm on a folded towel or pillow for comfort.
- Fully straighten the elbow while applying pressure to the forearm.
- Keep the elbow stretched out as you increase the pressure and hold the position for 10 seconds.
- Release the stretch, allowing the elbow to bend a little.
- Repeat the exercise several times.
OneRehab
1761 International Pkwy Suite 135, Richardson, TX 75081, United States
Email Us
info@onerehab.com
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972 845 7875
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