The elbow joint is made up of the humerus in the upper arm and the two forearm bones, the ulnar and radius. A dislocation occurs when any one of these bones moves out of its correct place. Severe dislocations can not only sustain injury to the joint capsule but can also result in fractures, ligament injury, or nerve and artery damage.
Why do I need to do arm exercises?
After an injury to your arm, such as a broken wrist, it is important to maintain movement of other joints so they do not become painful and stiff. All exercise regimes are tailored individually to ensure they are appropriate for the injury and needs of the patient.
Here we run through three different sets of elbow exercises to help improve strength & mobility. If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch!
What is Radial Tunnel Syndrome?Radial tunnel syndrome is a condition where the radial nerve is compressed in the forearm at a particular area known as the “arcade of Frohse” This area is approximately 5cm from the elbow on the lateral side of the forearm. The radial nerve is one of the main nerves in the arm which supplies sensation and motor control of the extensor muscles of the fingers, wrist and upper arm.
Many people who enjoy playing guitar may experience pain or discomfort in the hands, wrist (and even back and shoulders) at some point. Playing guitar should be an enjoyable, minimally stressful activity, however, strain from overuse and awkward positioning can cause a number of issues in the hands and wrist. Read more
Pain in the wrist, arm and elbow is fairly common amongst tennis players. Tennis is quite strenuous on the arm as a whole, and injury is usually the result of chronic overuse, poor technique or incorrect equipment, however acute injuries also occur from impact or tripping over.
Gardening should be an enjoyable, minimally stressful activity. It’s a good way to keep busy in an outdoor environment and is great for physical and mental health. For gardeners, wrists and hands are the most important tools you have, but because of this, they are also the most susceptible to pain and injury.
Many people who enjoy knitting may experience pain or discomfort in the hands or wrist at some point. The repetitive actions involved with knitting exposes one to the development of a number of conditions, the foremost being Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, trigger thumb or De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis.
Arm pain relates to any pain or discomfort in the arm. It can be caused by a wide variety of problems, not only those that originate in the area, but also issues with the neck, back or hand that extend to the arm. Issues can range from fractures to compressed nerves and repetition strain injuries and there can manifest immediately, or develop over time. The issue above sounds like Tennis Elbow could be the culprit.
There are numerous causes of arm pain, some serious and some easily treatable. Here are some of the most common:
Tennis Elbow: Tennis Elbow – or lateral epicondylalgia – is an injury to the muscles that extend from the elbow to the wrist caused by an excess of stress on the muscle tissue at the anchor point where the arm bone meets the elbow.
Broken arm/wrist/hand: A crack or break in the bones of the arm, wrist or hand, usually caused by a traumatic blow.
Dequervains Syndrome: Dequervains Syndrome is the irritation of the two tendons that insert at the base of the thumb as they pass through the extensor sheath. Repetitive movements of the thumb and wrist as well as activities requiring pinching can cause pain and swelling around the tendon.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. Compression of the nerve can cause symptoms such as numbness, pins and needles, tingling, swelling, pain and weakness.
Angina: A condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Can result in pain in the arm, back, shoulders and chest.
Pinched nerve: A pinched nerve can be the result of increased pressure on a nerve from surrounding bones, muscles or tendons (carpal tunnel syndrome is an example of a pinched nerve).
Rotator Cuff injury: The Rotator Cuff is a collection of muscles and tendons that help move the shoulder and aid with general stabilisation. Overuse or a heavy blow may cause small tears or strains in the Rotator Cuff, leading to pain and discomfort in the arm.
For many causes of arm pain, an X-Ray or MRI may be appropriate. Your hand therapist will let you know if this is required.
Use your best judgement when assessing whether to seek medical assistance or not. It is always better to be on the safe side.
Many of the conditions above may require medical assistance and therapy. For example, if you have broken your arm, your doctor will refer you for x-rays to help determine whether you can be managed conservatively by cast immobilisation or require surgery to obtain correct bone alignment in order to ensure a healthy healing process. Your hand therapist can fit you with a waterproof cast once your swelling is down, and assist you regain motion and strength once the fracture is healed.
Mild symptoms of arm pain can be self-treated. Rest is the key: avoid using your arm in way that can cause pain or discomfort. Icing the affected area 15-20 minutes a day can help reduce pain and swelling.Depending on the severity of the condition, therapy may include education and advice, creation of an appropriate exercise program, massage and provision of braces and supports if required.
Surgical treatment may be required in extreme cases of arm pain. Your therapist can discuss this with you and your GP and arrange a referral to a surgeon if required. If you have any questions regarding a condition you have or to book an appointment, feel free to contact us here. We’d be more than happy to help.