The forearm is the portion of the upper limb between the elbow and the wrist. In both joints downstream and upstream of it there are tendons that allow movement and allow the functionality of muscles and bones. When you have forearm tendonitis, you have inflammation of the tendons that connect the elbow to the forearm and wrist. If you are concerned that you have this disorder, you need to see your doctor for a formal diagnosis and appropriate treatment. However, you can begin to understand that it is tendonitis as soon as you notice the first pain or discomfort in the forearm.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Observe the Symptoms
Step 1. Check for symptoms of forearm tendonitis
You may feel pain in the area and around the tendons that connect the bones near the elbow. This inflammation is sometimes also called "tennis elbow" or "golfer's" and you may suspect that you are suffering from it if you notice these indicators:
- Slight localized swelling;
- Tenderness to touch and pressure on the tendon area;
- Pain (often described as "dull");
- Pain that gets worse with movement of the joint.
Step 2. Determine if you suffer from golfer's elbow
The medical term for this disorder is medial epithrocleitis. The affected person feels pain on the inside of the elbow because the flexor muscles, which are the muscles that allow the elbow to bend, are inflamed. Excessive stress caused by repetitive movements increases the risk of developing this disease. Here are the golfer's elbow symptoms:
- Pain that originates in the elbow and radiates outward to the lower arm;
- Stiffness of the arm;
- Increased pain when bending and extending the elbow;
- Pain that gets worse with certain movements, such as opening a jar or shaking hands.
Step 3. Determine if you have tennis elbow
This disease, called lateral epicondylitis, affects the outer portion of the elbow. The pain is triggered by repetitive movements in the extensor muscles, that is, those that allow you to straighten the elbow. Symptoms of this type of tendonitis generally begin with mild discomfort which then worsens and becomes painful over a few months. Also, you cannot attribute the pain to a particular injury or accident; here are the other common signs:
- Pain or burning on the outside of the elbow and along the forearm
- Weak hand grip;
- Worsening of symptoms due to overuse of muscles, such as playing sports that involve using a racket, turning a wrench, or shaking hands.
Method 2 of 3: Consider the Causes of Forearm Tendinitis
Step 1. Look for symptoms in one or both forearms
Regardless of the type of tendonitis, the dominant limb is usually the most affected, although inflammation can affect both. Tendonitis occurs in the tendons that are stimulated more and with greater force.
In addition, both the tendons that control extension and those that manage flexion (such as straightening or bending the elbow) can become inflamed; however, it is very rare for this condition to occur in both limbs at the same time. The repetitive movement that generates more stress, in flexion or extension, will cause tendonitis
Step 2. Identify the movement that contributed to the development of the tennis elbow
This type of inflammation can occur when you apply force to an object while keeping the elbow straight. As the name suggests, this pathology is often caused by playing tennis; however, by using a light racquet and two-handed backhand hits, you can reduce the chances of this developing. Other types of movements that can cause lateral epicondylitis are:
- Repetitive lifting of heavy objects or using heavy tools;
- Precision movements, which involve grabbing with force or twisting the arm;
- New or unusual movements, such as first gardening work in spring, lifting a newborn baby or boxing items for a move.
Step 3. Evaluate the activities that may have contributed to the golfer's elbow
Although the name obviously refers to the game of golf, in reality this type of tendonitis can be triggered by other activities that involve grabbing and throwing objects, such as baseball, rugby, archery or javelin. Other circumstances that cause medial epitrocleitis are:
- Performing jobs that involve repetitive elbow movements, such as typing on a computer, gardening, chopping wood, or painting
- Use vibrating tools;
- Using a racquet that is too small or too heavy for your skills or putting too much spin on the ball;
- Participate in other repetitive activities for an hour or more for several consecutive days, such as lifting weights, cooking, hammering, raking, or chopping wood.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Forearm Tendinitis
Step 1. Get immediate treatment
While it is not a life-threatening disease, forearm tendonitis dramatically reduces the movements and activities you can do for several weeks or months because it generates pain and discomfort. Without treatment, the risk of inflammation developing into a rupture of the tendon increases, a serious injury that must be resolved in the operating room to ensure the limb's function is restored.
- If tendonitis persists for several months, it can lead to tendinosis, a disease that negatively impacts tendons and causes neovascularization.
- Long-term complications of tennis elbow are recurrent inflammation, rupture of the tendon and failure to heal through both surgical and non-surgical techniques, due to the compression of the nerve within the forearm.
- Long-term complications of chronic golfer's elbow are continuous pain, limited range of motion and continuous contracture of the elbow in a bent position.
Step 2. Make an appointment with your doctor
If you suspect that you are suffering from tendonitis, you need to bring the situation to the attention of a doctor for evaluation and treatment. Prompt diagnosis and treatment lead to better outcomes.
- To confirm tendonitis, your doctor will want to gather as much information as possible about your health and perform a physical exam.
- He may recommend that you have x-rays in case you suffered an injury before the pain started.
Step 3. Discuss possible treatments with the orthopedist
Immediately after diagnosis, your doctor will recommend treatments to reduce pain and improve movement. Strictly follow his instructions for caring for your forearm and ask him any questions that arise regarding care.
- The orthopedist may also prescribe anti-inflammatories to reduce inflammation, pain and improve limb mobility.
- You may need to use a brace to support the area and reduce stress on the muscles and tendons. The brace can immobilize the elbow or support the arm, depending on the severity of the tendonitis.
- Your doctor will consider injecting corticosteroids into the tendon to reduce both pain and inflammation. However, if the problem lasts longer than 3 months, remember that repeated injections of this type can weaken the tendon and increase the risk of rupture.
Step 4. Learn about plasma therapy
Platelet-enriched plasma (PRP) therapy involves drawing your own blood which is centrifuged to separate the platelets, which are then injected into the tendon site.
Although this treatment is still the subject of research, it has been shown to be effective in treating chronic diseases affecting the tendons. Discuss with your orthopedist to see if it might be a good fit for your situation
Step 5. Undergo physical therapy
Your doctor may recommend that you do physical therapy at the same time as other tendonitis treatments. During the sessions, the physiotherapist will teach you exercises and movements to stretch and reduce the contracture of the arm muscles. This is a fundamental detail, because the contractures contribute to generate the microlesions associated with tendonitis.
- Work and recreational activities that require frequent grasping of objects, stress the flexor and extensor muscles, or that involve repetitive hand or wrist movements can cause muscle contractures leading to tendonitis.
- Your physical therapist will recommend deep friction massages to trigger the release of natural substances that stimulate tendon healing. It is a safe, gentle and easy to learn technique.
Step 6. Look for severe symptoms
In some cases, tendonitis must be treated as an emergency. Learn to recognize the signs of severe inflammation so you can get treatment right away. Go to the emergency room if:
- The elbow is very hot, inflamed and you have a fever;
- You can't fold it;
- It looks deformed;
- You suspect a bone fracture due to a specific elbow injury.
Step 7. Stimulate healing with home remedies
While it is essential to see a doctor for an official diagnosis and proper treatment, there are home remedies that you can use to find relief from mild tendonitis. Ask the orthopedist if the ones described below are suitable for your problem. You can relieve pain:
- By letting the inflamed joint rest and stopping any activity that caused the tendonitis.
- Applying the ice pack on the elbow after wrapping it in a cloth. You can hold the compress 3-4 times a day in 10-minute sessions.
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as naproxen (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Brufen).
