Good morning, class!  Today, we continue our "lecture" series on the elbow.  Week one covered the bony components of the elbow and week two covered the soft tissues of the elbow. 

Today, we are going to discuss some of the problems that can occur at the elbow.  While some elbow conditions are the cause of direct trauma (like a fall or sports injury), it is common for elbow symptoms to occur as a result of repetitive stress or poor body mechanics.  Of these non-traumatic conditions of the elbow, perhaps the most common is tendinitis.  There are 2 common types of elbow tendinitis.  The first type results from over extending the elbow while the radius and ulna (lower arm bones) are rotating on each other.  This motion is similar to the backhand stroke used in tennis and so is commonly called "Tennis Elbow," and the pain is usually along the outside border of the elbow.  The other common tendinitis results from repetitive bending of the elbow in toward the body with the wrist flexed, as in a golf swing or a baseball pitch.  Therefore, this is commonly know as Pitcher's or Golfer's Elbow and generally hurts along the inside border of the elbow.

These are just 2 of the common conditions of the elbow that are frequently treated at Alliance Physical Therapy.  Thorough evaluation and the completion of an appropriate and scientifically proven treatment program result in excellent and long term relief for our patients.  Next week, we will share some of the general approaches we recommend for elbow pain.  See you then.  Class dismissed!

Yours in health,

Karen