Steemit Learning Challenge-S22W5: Physical Therapy Intervention: Golfer's Elbow

Hello, everyone; we are here to share the contest for week 5, Steemit Learning Challenge season 22. I am grateful to all the users who participated in the previous week and supported my course, and thankful to the Steemit team for this opportunity. I invite all the users to share their unique participation and try to gain maximum grades to get selected as the winner of the Steemit Engagement Challenge season 22, week 5.

Canva

Golfer's Elbow

Golfer's Elbow is the condition in which inflammation of tendons around the elbow joint occurs. It causes the inflammation of tendons on the medial side or epicondyle in the elbow. It's also called medial epicondylitis.

Tissue damage can be classified into 3 categories based on severity, tendinitis, tendonsis and rupture of tendon. In this condition, it causes tendinitis, which means inflammation of a tendon. This condition occurs in golf players due to hyperflexion on the wrist & elbow joint.

Causes

The common causes of golfer's elbow are below:

• Overuse or repetitive use of the elbow joint especially in golf players by moving the elbow in the wrong position
• Sudden trauma or injury to the elbow joint
• Can also occur due to sports participation like golf players.
• Agr-related wear and tear of the shoulder region
• History of such injuries in past & occur again
• Can also occur in people with poor ergonomics or posture.

Symptoms

The common symptoms shown in golfer's elbow patients are:

• Pain and tenderness on the medial aspect of the affected elbow.
• Sometimes swelling or redness if the tendon gets inflamed on the medial side.
• Weakness or fatigue due to a reduction in strength in the elbow joint as the weight-bearing joint is affected.
• Numbness or tingling sensation in the finger & wrist due to muscle weakness & nerve compression occasionally.
• Reduction in range of motion due to stiffness in the elbow region & difficulty in bending the wrist.

Types of Golfer's Elbow

Mild

• In this type, there is inflammation and irritation around the elbow region, but there is mild pain and stiffness in the elbow joint that minimally affects the ADLs.

Moderate

• In this type, the patient will feel moderate pain and stiffness in the elbow region medially and affect ADLs (activities of daily living).

Severe

• This is the last and most severe type in the golfer's elbow or medial epicondylitis, which is severe pain and stiffness around the elbow in the medial aspect. It becomes difficult to perform tasks daily, like reducing gripping strength.

Stages of Golfer's Elbow

There are 3 stages of golfer's elbow based on the duration of the disease.

• Acute Stage: sudden onset of pain & inflammation.
• Subactue Stage: stages last for less than 1 month after onset of symptoms.
• Chronic Stage: this is severe stage that lasts for more than 1 months or 6 weeks after onset of symptoms like pain & inflammation.

Diagnosis

Golfer's Elbow diagnosis can be made by different methods, but commonly used are:

• History taking about family, occupation, past medical, and surgical history.
• A thorough physical examination by a physician or physical therapist.
• X-ray, Ultrasound and MRI to assess arthritis, any tendon ruptures, and muscle damage, respectively.
• We will also perform EMG & NCS to assess the nerve damage and muscle strength.

Special Tests

In physiotherapy, we perform some special tests to confirm the diagnosis.

1. Medial Epicondyle Test
   • This is the test performed by patient in sitting position, elbow is flexed 90 degree and wrist extended, apply pressure on medial epicondyle, if there is pain or tenderness than test is positive.
2. Cozen's Test
   • This is the test performed by patient in sitting position, elbow is flexed 90 degree and wrist extended with resistance, if there is pain or tenderness than test is positive.
3. Valgus Stress Test
   • This test is performed on patient in sitting position, elbow supported. Therapist try to push the elbow outward and patient feel pain on medial epicondyle then test is positive.

Physical Therapy Intervention for Golfer's Elbow

Physical therapy interventions for Golfer's Elbow for days to weeks to regain normal range of motion or performing activities of daily living, and subside the symptoms. Here are a few exercise videos that you have to perform to treat golfer's elbow patients. Treatment protocols vary from patient to patient.

But the main thing is you have to evaluate the exact cause of a golfer's elbow and its stage types as well because treatment protocol varies from stage to stage or type to type, whether it's due to overuse or trauma. We can treat this condition completely with physical therapy, but sometimes surgical intervention is required if further damage occurs to tendons or ligaments.