Physiotherapy in Vineland for Elbow Pain - Tennis Elbow
Physiotherapy in Vineland for Elbow
Welcome to Vineland Physiotherapy's patient resource about Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis).
Related Document: Vineland Physiotherapy's Guide to Elbow Anatomy
When you visit Vineland Physiotherapy, our therapist will first take a detailed medical history. You will need to answer questions about your pain, how your pain affects you, your regular activities, and past injuries to your elbow.
Related Document: Vineland Physiotherapy's Guide to Radial Tunnel Syndrome
When you begin your physiotherapy, our physiotherapist at Vineland Physiotherapy will give you tips on how to rest your elbow and how to do your activities without putting extra strain on your elbow. We may apply tape to take some of the load off the elbow muscles and tendons. Our physiotherapist may advise that you wear an elbow strap that wraps around your upper forearm in a way that relieves the pressure on the tendon attachment.
We may apply ice and electrical stimulation to ease pain and improve healing of the tendon. Our physiotherapy sessions may also include iontophoresis, which uses a mild electrical current to push anti-inflammatory medicine, prescribed by your doctor, into the sore area. This treatment is especially helpful for patients who can't tolerate injections. Our physiotherapist will also instruct you in exercises used to gradually stretch and strengthen the forearm muscles.
Although recovery time varies for each patient, in cases where the tendon is inflamed, your Vineland Physiotherapy rehabilitation program is usually only needed for four to six weeks. When symptoms are from tendonosis, you can expect healing to take longer, usually up to three months. If your tendonosis is severe, it may take at least six months for complete healing.
Rehabilitation takes much longer after surgery. Immediately after surgery, your elbow is placed in a removable splint that keeps your elbow bent at a 90-degree angle. Your first few physiotherapy sessions at Vineland Physiotherapy may involve ice and electrical stimulation treatments to help control pain and swelling from the surgery. Our physiotherapist may also use massage and other types of hands-on treatments to ease muscle spasm and pain.
When recovery is well under way, your regular visits to Vineland Physiotherapy will end. Although we will continue to be a resource, you will eventually be in charge of doing your exercises as part of an ongoing home program.