Your elbow might hurt when you rotate it due to tennis elbow, a condition caused by repetitive motions, like twisting or swinging your lower arm.
Understanding Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a common cause of elbow pain. Here's a breakdown:
- What it is: Tennis elbow involves damage to the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow.
- How it happens: Repeated movements, such as those involved in tennis, carpentry, or even frequent typing, can strain the tendons, leading to small tears and inflammation. The reference material specifies this: "Tennis elbow happens when you do a repetitive motion like twisting or swinging your lower arm a lot."
- Symptoms: Pain is usually felt on the outer part of your elbow and may worsen when rotating your forearm, gripping objects, or making a fist.
- Progression: If left unaddressed, this pain can increase and limit the range of motion of your elbow.
Why Rotation Causes Pain
When you rotate your elbow, especially your forearm (pronation and supination), you're engaging the muscles and tendons affected by tennis elbow. The stress on the damaged tendon is aggravated when you twist, which causes the pain. Here's an example of common rotations:
| Rotation Type | Description | Movement |
|---|---|---|
| Pronation | Rotating the palm of your hand down | Turning a doorknob counterclockwise |
| Supination | Rotating the palm of your hand up | Turning a doorknob clockwise |
Each of these movements puts strain on the affected tendons which is why rotation makes the pain worse if you have tennis elbow.
What To Do About The Pain
The good news is that most cases of tennis elbow improve with non-surgical treatments and time. The provided reference states, "Most people get better with a few months of nonsurgical treatment and rest." Here are some things you can do:
- Rest: Avoid activities that worsen the pain.
- Ice: Apply ice to your elbow for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can guide you through exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscles around your elbow.
- Bracing: Wearing an elbow brace may help alleviate some of the stress and support the healing process.
If your pain persists, consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Early intervention often makes recovery faster and more effective.
