Lateral Elbow Pain
- The following injuries are common causes of pain on the outside of the elbow:
Tennis elbow – (Lateral Epicondylitis) is the most common cause of elbow pain. Symptoms include gradual onset, chronic pain on the outside of the elbow. Predominantly an overuse injury, it is more likely to have been caused by work-related repetitive stress.
Radial tunnel syndrome – has similar symptoms to Tennis elbow, with pain on the outside of the elbow. But you may also have pins and needles or tingling in the hand and outer forearm. Your wrist may ache, or pain may radiate into the upper arm.
Osteochondritis dissecans – involves fragmentation of the cartilage and sometimes the underlying bone within the elbow joint. It is common in adolescents, particularly those involved in throwing sports. This is because the ends of the bones are not yet fully hardened. Symptoms include locking and clicking of the elbow, swelling, pain (particularly after activity) and loss of function.
Medial Elbow Pain
- The following injuries are common causes of pain on the inside of the elbow:
Golfer’s elbow – is also known as throwers elbow or medial epicondylitis. It is probably the most cause of pain on the inside of the elbow. Symptoms are similar to those of tennis elbow but on the inside. It usually develops gradually through overuse but can also be an acute injury, especially with throwing sports.
Biceps tendonitis – is an overuse injury which causes pain and inflammation on the inside of the elbow.
Posterior Elbow Pain
- The following injuries are common causes of pain at the back of the elbow:
Elbow bursitis – is also known as student’s elbow. It is inflammation and swelling of the bursa (small sack of fluid) at the back of the elbow. Repetitive impact to the back of the elbow, such as leaning on a desk is a common cause. Over time the bursa becomes swollen, painful and inflamed.
Olecranon fracture – is a fracture of the large bony bit at the back of the elbow (called the Olecranon). It is usually broken from a direct impact or fall onto a bent elbow.
Triceps tendonitis – is inflammation of the triceps tendon where it attaches to the back of the elbow. Usually and overuse injury, it may also be caused by a sudden impact or fall.
Forearm Pain
- Pain in the forearm can be sudden onset (acute) and include fractures of either the radius or ulna bones.
- Nerve impingement and overuse of the wrist are common causes of forearm pain.
- Referred pain from higher up the arm or shoulder can also occur.
Our Treatment Approach
Many patients with chronic elbow pain tell us their doctors recommend a cortisone shot! Cortisone weakens tissue, whereas our starMethod strengthens tissue. Cortisone has temporary effects in regard to pain control whereas starMethod has permanent effects. However, cortisone does have one permanent effect: continual use will permanently weaken tissue. Anyone receiving long-term prednisone or cortisone shots will confirm this fact.
Our Treatment Approach ->The starMethod strengthens these muscle attachments is very effective in eliminating chronic elbow pain.
- Repetitive shock wave therapy for lateral elbow tendinopathy (tennis elbow): a systematic and qualitative analysis. Rompe JD, Maffulli N. British Medical Bulletin (2007)
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy without local anesthesia for chronic lateral epicondylitis. Pettrone FA, McCall BR. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (2005)
- Safety and Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis. Furia, JP. The American Journal of Orthopedics (2005)
- Repetitive low-energy shock wave treatment for chronic lateral epicondylitis in tennis players. Rompe JD, Decking J, Schoellner C, Theis C. American Journal of Sports Medicine (2004)
- Shockwave therapy for patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow – A one to two year follow-up study. Wang CJ. American Journal of Sports Medicine (2002)
