You likely move your elbow much more on a daily basis than you realize. Proper elbow function is needed for everything from waving to your neighbor to vacuuming around your home. That means that if you have an issue with your elbow, it can interfere with your everyday activities.
Many types of injuries can impact your elbow, often leading to pain, reduced range of motion and joint stiffness. While it can be tempting to try to brush off any issues as “no big deal,” it’s important to treat persistent or worsening elbow symptoms to reduce the risk of furthering possible damage. Physical therapy can be beneficial for people who are trying to heal from an elbow injury.
What types of elbow injuries are often treated by physical therapists? That’s what we’re here to discuss.
6 elbow injuries that are commonly treated by physical therapists
The goal of seeking physical therapy for an elbow injury is to reduce the pain that’s interfering with your quality of life while improving the strength, function and mobility of the affected soft tissue. This goal can be achieved in a variety of ways, from targeted exercises to manual therapy. Every patient has a treatment plan created for them based on the type of injury they have.
Here are six types of elbow injuries that physical therapists often treat:
Elbow fracture — A fracture in the elbow means that a bone near or in the elbow has broken. It can be caused by trauma or blunt force, such as falling or hitting it against the door during a car accident. The symptoms include sudden, intense pain as well as swelling and bruising. The most common elbow fracture is a supracondylar fracture, accounting for 60% of all elbow fractures. It occurs in the distal humerus, located above the elbow.
Lateral epicondylitis — Also referred to as tennis elbow, lateral epicondylitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the tendons that connect the elbow to the forearm muscle. It can develop due to overuse of the tendons during activities that involve repetitive gripping or wrist extension, which is why it’s common in tennis players. It can cause pain in the elbow and a weak grip.
Dislocation — When the three bones that meet at the elbow joint (radius, ulna and humerus) are knocked out of their normal position, it’s known as a dislocated elbow. It can stem from a forceful twisting motion, direct blow or fall. It’s commonly the result of falling with the arm and hand stretched out. This injury is often a visible issue, with the elbow looking out of place or abnormal. Other symptoms include pain and bruising.
Nerve injury — A nerve injury in the elbow is typically related to compression or damage to the ulnar nerve. The ulnar nerve starts in the neck, runs down along the arm and into the hand. It can become compressed due to pressure on the elbow for an extended period of time or from repetitive elbow bending. Nerve compression in the elbow is known as cubital tunnel syndrome, which causes elbow pain and stiffness. The ulnar nerve can also be injured from a fracture or dislocation.
Strain — When the muscles or tendons surrounding the elbow are overstretched, it’s known as a strain or a pulled muscle. This can cause minor tears in the tissue, resulting in pain, swelling and difficulty extending the arm. An elbow strain can occur due to overuse, such as playing sports or doing manual labor. It can also be caused by a sudden injury when the arm is forcibly twisted or bent.
Sprain — The ligaments in the elbow connect the ulna, radius and humerus to the elbow joints. When the elbow joint is overused or sustains an injury, the ligaments can become torn or overstretched, leading to a sprain. Sprains can also be caused when the arm is outstretched trying to break a fall or there’s a direct blow to the area. An elbow sprain can cause pain, swelling and stiffness.
KC Rehab can use physical therapy to help treat your elbow injuries
Any sort of injury can interfere with your overall quality of life, which is why safe and effective treatment is essential. Finding the right treatment can not only decrease your pain and help it heal, but it can also reduce the risk of future injuries by improving the overall quality of the area.
If you’ve experienced an elbow injury, a physical therapist can guide you through therapeutic exercises to improve the strength, flexibility and function of the affected soft tissue. They can also use modalities and manual therapy to reduce your pain and help accelerate the recovery process.
At KC Rehab, we can help treat nearly every type of elbow injury that you may sustain, from a sprain to a dislocation. We’re here to help you address your pain and restore your elbow’s mobility so you can get back to your daily activities.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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