When you are experiencing elbow pain, the best way to diagnose this condition is with a quick visit to the your doctor for a physical examination of your elbow. Getting a proper diagnosis is important so you can treat your condition correctly.
Untreated chronic elbow pain can cause bone spurs and/or the break down tendon tissue in your elbow, becoming even more painful than before. Keep in mind, however, your symptoms may be caused by a similar condition to tennis elbow having similar symptoms in the elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand.
Understanding your medical history and individual lifestyle will help your physician provide the best diagnosis possible. To begin with, your doctor will gather a medical history about you and your current condition and symptoms. The diagnosis will be based on:
Your physician will discuss what factors led to your injury. This can include investigating the techniques, equipment, and training used in your activity, sport, or occupation. The duration of your injury will determine whether you are suffering from acute (short term) or chronic (long term) Tennis Elbow. Some treatments are only suitable for short term symptoms while others are used to effectively heal chronic injuries.
All of these things will indicate to your physician, the severity of your injury. This will help them determine which type of conservative treatment will provide the most effective healing. Depending on the duration and severity of your injury, you may even require surgery. It is important to speak to your physician as soon as possible to limit potential damage to your elbow and start the healing process.
Your physician will conduct a physical exam to determine if you are suffering from tennis elbow and not some other condition with similar symptoms. During your physical exam, your doctor will visually assess your elbow by asking you to extend and flex your elbow, wrist, and fingers. During these exercises, your doctor will place pressure on certain areas of your arm; if the physician is looking specifically for tennis elbow, he/she will be sure to put some pressure near the lateral epicondyle - the bony bump on the outside of your elbow.
Your physical exam will help your physician asses your range of motion, muscle and grip strength, joint stability, and pain. Pain or discomfort communicates to your doctor that the muscles, tendons, joints, or tissues may not be healthy. A physical examination of your arm will alert your physician to any physical abnormalities. This could include inflammation, swelling, bone deformity, or atrophied muscle.
Typically, your medical history and physical exam will give your physician enough information to make a diagnosis. If your doctor believes that your symptoms are due to something other than Tennis Elbow, further testing will need to be done to determine the correct diagnosis.
It is rare that more complex diagnostic techniques will be used to diagnose Tennis Elbow, but they can be effective in helping determine the cause of your symptoms. An X-Ray, which uses short electromagnetic radiation waves to create an image, can help your doctor get a detailed picture of your bone structure. This can help determine if a fracture or arthritis are the cause of your symptoms.
Your body is a complex system; everything is interconnected. Because of this, problems in your neck, shoulder, or arm could cause symptoms similar to Tennis Elbow. An MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging sends out a strong magnetic field and radio waves over your body. This creates an image of your bones and soft tissues. An MRI can help doctors see if there is an issue in another part of your body.
An EMG or Electromyography test uses small wires placed in your muscles to detect any changes in nerve signals during movement. When assessing your elbow, this test is helpful in determining if your symptoms are being caused by a pinched nerve.
Your physician will check for inflammatory conditions such as bursitis and osteochondritis. The most common form of elbow bursitis is olecranon bursitis - read more about it here. Elbow osteochondritis affects the cartilage or bone of the elbow joint and shares many similar symptoms to epicondylitis.
The good news is that most cases of tennis elbow will heal with simple home conservative treatments and surgery is often not needed. It's generally understood by doctors and surgeons, that surgery will introduce more scar tissue into the elbow. This added scar tissue will be problematic, requiring visits to the Physio clinic and conservative treatment options post-surgery. This is why surgery is only performed as a last resort for chronic elbow injuries or a fractured bone that won't heal with conservative treatment methods.
If you want to avoid re-injury, or manage pain and increase circulation for lifelong health benefits, an Elbow TShellz Wrap will provide exceptional results. Why spend time in pain, off from work, and missing out on your active lifestyle when you can be proactive about your injury and the health of your body? Talk to your doctor about incorporating a regular routine of using Circulation Boost into your everyday health regimen.
If you are still uncertain which route to go or if you would like to discuss issues affecting your elbow or other soft tissue injuries, then do not hesitate to contact a AidMyTennisElbow Advisor immediately by phone North America Toll Free 1-866-237-9608 | Outside North America +1-705-532-1671 or email service@mendmeshop.com
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During your recovery, you will probably have to modify and/or eliminate any activities that cause pain or discomfort at the location of your soft tissue injury until the pain and inflammation settle. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results!
Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before using any of our outstanding products to make sure they are right for you and your condition or if you have any questions regarding a medical condition. Always see your doctor for a proper diagnosis as there are often many injuries and conditions (some very serious) that could be the cause of your pain.
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