Wondering what might be causing pain near your elbow? Does this mystery pain increase when you hold even small objects like a book or even for no reason at all?
These symptoms are the precursors of a very serious condition that requires a lengthy recovery process. You may be developing tennis elbow. You might be saying, ‘Tennis elbow? How bad can that be?’ This condition could possibly interrupt your work and relaxation and could take years and thousands of dollars in rehabilitation costs to find relief.
Tennis elbow mostly affects people ages 35 to 55. You don’t need to play tennis to get it since there are many activities that utilize the muscles and tendons involved in aggravating ways. Ninety-five percent of diagnosed instances of tennis elbow occur in people who do not play tennis.
If you don’t heed the warning signs and avoid treatment, it will worsen over time. Some cases never identify the cause of the ailment. Treatment can last up to two years or more to fully recover in worst case scenarios.
Soreness and tenderness near the elbow, usually the outside, are the beginning symptoms. Tightness in the muscles of the forearm follows. Some cases become so bad that a person might not be able to fully straighten their arm due to the pain experienced when doing so. When this happens, all tasks that a person performs become difficult and painful. You can’t lift a fork; you can’t open the mailbox; you might not even be able to brush your teeth with the affected arm.
If you are experiencing any of the warning signs, you should talk to your physician immediately. Don’t ignore them; you’ll regret it later.