ApexNetwork Physical Therapy

Elbow pain can result from a specific incident, such as an impact directly on the elbow; or from a repetitive motion injury. Repetitive motion injuries develop over weeks, months or even years. Two common elbow diagnoses that can result from work tasks are Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and Radial Tunnel Syndrome. Diagnosis of elbow pain can be difficult, but minor differences in pain location and description may shorten the diagnosis period and expedite the treatment process.

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is typically described as tenderness over the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. Pain is reported with bending the wrist backward, turning the palm up, and gripping with a straight wrist or elbow. Pain is usually described as sharp or knife like.
Radial Tunnel Syndrome pain is reported with bending the wrist backward, resisted palm up motion, and gripping with a straight wrist or elbow. Sounds similar to lateral epicondylitis, right?

In contrast, Radial Tunnel Syndrome pain is centered about two inches down the forearm and pain is described as aching, especially at night, and may be accompanied by wrist muscle weakness or fatigue. The radial nerve supplies nerve branches to the muscles on the back of the forearm. Radial Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the radial nerve is compressed as it passes through a tunnel near the elbow. Radial Tunnel Syndrome causes include too small of a radial tunnel; repetitive and/or forceful pushing/pulling, bending the wrist, gripping, pinching; direct impact to the outside of the elbow; and repetitive twisting of the forearm. The good news is that both conditions can be managed conservatively if the symptoms are identified and reported soon after the onset.

Conservative treatment may include: avoiding the painful activity or motion, avoid bending the wrist backward, modifying work tasks, education of injury, frequent rest breaks, limit heavy lifting/pushing/pulling/gripping, splinting, cortisone injection, and therapy.

It is important to attempt to prevent injuries from ever occurring. ApexNetwork Physical Therapy offers the following preventative services aimed at minimizing workplace risk factors:

• Educating workers regarding the importance of taking
responsibility for ergonomic issues and solutions
regarding their job
• Warm up and stretching programs
• Post-offer / pre-employment testing to ensure candidates are
capable of performing the essential functions of the job
• Ergonomic evaluations of desk and work stations