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Elbow Injuries. Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tear, Tendonitis. Objectives. To identify the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of various elbow injuries. Tommy John Surgery. Also known as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.
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Elbow Injuries Ulnar Collateral Ligament Tear, Tendonitis
Objectives • To identify the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of various elbow injuries.
Tommy John Surgery • Also known as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. • Anyone can get a UCL injury from repetitive stress to the elbow or from trauma. But "throwing" athletes have the highest risk. That's because throwing motions that twist and bend the elbow put extreme stress on the ligament. • Over time, the UCL can develop microscopic or large tears. The ligament stretches and lengthens to the point where it can't hold the bones tightly enough during throwing activities.
Symptoms of UCL Injury • Pain on the inside of elbow. • A sense of looseness or instability in the elbow • Irritation of the "funny bone" (ulnar nerve): This is felt as tingling or numbness in the small finger and ring finger. • Decreased ability to throw a baseball or other object
Candidates for Tommy John Surgery • UCL injuries are usually first treated with conservative (non-operative) therapies. These therapies include: • Rest • Ice • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) • Patients then undergo physical therapy. This strengthens surrounding muscles to compensate for the injured UCL. • But some athletes may be candidates to have surgery right away. Tommy John surgery is most commonly recommended for athletes who: • Don't respond to non-surgical treatments. • Want to resume strenuous overhead or throwing activities.
Prevention • Elbow Stretching for Baseball : Muscle Toning & Strengthening • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2cBiID0IPg
Elbow Tendonitis • Swelling and inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles of your forearm to the elbow (bone). • Lateral Epicondylitis – Tennis elbow • Medial Epicondylitis – Golfer’s elbow • You don’t have to play tennis or golf to get these injuries. • Any repetitive gripping, rotating, and flexing activities can strain the muscles and put too much stress on the tendons. • Weightlifting • Carpentry (screwdriver and hammer) • Painting
Lateral & Medial Epicondylitis • Symptoms • Pain and tenderness in the bony knob on the side of your elbow, when you: • Lift something • Make a fist or grip an object, such as a tennis racket • Open a door or shake hands • Treatment • Injury will usually heal on its own with rest • Icing the elbow • Using an elbow strap • Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) • Performing range of motion exercises • Getting physical therapy
Prevention • Avoid overuse. Stop if you feel any elbow pain during an activity. • Avoid wrong Equipment. You may also bring on elbow pain by using the wrong equipment, like a golf club or tennis racket that is too heavy or that has a grip that is too large. • Avoid bad technique. Correct wrong mechanics or posture when swinging or hitting. • Warm up and stretch before any sport or activity that will exercise your elbow or arm. • Ice your elbow after exercise.
Causes & Recovery Exercises for Epicondylitis • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJAx42aCtSQ