Elbow pain is rarely just a “sore muscle.” Often, it is a persistent, nagging ache that makes even the simplest tasks—like turning a doorknob or shaking hands—feel like a challenge. If you are feeling pain on the bony bumps of your elbow, you are likely dealing with one of two common overuse injuries: Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow.
At Ortho Care Hospital, the Best orthopaedic hospital in Vadodara, we specialize in diagnosing these “tricky” elbow conditions to help you get back to your routine without pain.
Lateral vs. Medial: What is the Difference?
While both conditions involve tendon inflammation (tendonitis) caused by repetitive motion, the primary difference lies in where it hurts and which muscles are involved.
1. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
- The Location: Pain occurs on the outside of the elbow.
- The Cause: It affects the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow. These muscles help you extend your wrist and fingers.
- Common Triggers: Using a screwdriver, painting, typing, or lifting heavy pans.
2. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
- The Location: Pain occurs on the inside of the elbow.
- The Cause: This affects the tendons that attach to the bony bump on the inner side of your elbow. These muscles are responsible for flexing your wrist and gripping objects tightly.
- Common Triggers: Raking leaves, hammering, weightlifting, or repetitive gripping at a workstation.
It’s Not Just for Athletes!
One of the biggest myths we debunk at Ortho Care Hospital is that you need to be a sports enthusiast to develop these conditions. In fact, the majority of patients we see in Vadodara are:
- Office Professionals: Constant typing and mouse usage.
- Homeowners: Intensive gardening or DIY home repairs.
- Industrial Workers: Repetitive assembly line work or heavy lifting.
- Artists & Chefs: Constant wrist rotation and fine motor movements.
If left untreated, these micro-tears in the tendon can lead to chronic inflammation, weakened grip strength, and permanent stiffness.
Comprehensive Care at Ortho Care Hospital
Under the expert guidance of Dr. Sandeep Chauhan, recognized as the Top Orthopaedic Doctor in Vadodara, our clinic doesn’t just mask the pain with medication. We focus on a Comprehensive Approach to long-term recovery:
- Precision Diagnosis: Identifying exactly which tendon is affected through clinical examination and imaging if necessary.
- Specialized Physiotherapy: Tailored eccentric exercises to strengthen the forearm without further irritating the tendon.
- Bracing & Support: Using “counterforce” braces to take the pressure off the inflamed area.
- Advanced Regenerative Treatments: For chronic cases, we offer modern solutions to stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
As the Best Orthopaedic doctor in Vadodara, Dr. Chauhan ensures that every patient receives a treatment plan as unique as their injury.
Quick Relief Tips: Managing Elbow Pain at Home
While waiting for your consultation with Dr. Sandeep Chauhan, you can manage acute flare-ups with these simple steps:
- The “Ice & Elevate” Rule: Apply an ice pack to the painful area for 15 minutes, 3–4 times a day. This is crucial for reducing the initial inflammation.
- Modify Your Grip: If you’re a heavy phone user or gardener, try to use a “neutral” wrist position. Avoid “death-gripping” tools or pens; use ergonomic grips where possible.
- The Counterforce Brace: Wearing a specialized elbow strap roughly two fingers’ width below the painful spot can help disperse the force away from the tendon.
The “Big 3” Recovery Exercises
Perform these only if they do not cause sharp pain. If pain persists, consult the Best Orthopaedic Doctor in Vadodara immediately.
1. Wrist Extensor Stretch (For Tennis Elbow)
- Extend your arm straight in front of you with your palm facing down.
- Use your other hand to gently pull your hand down toward your body.
- Hold: 30 seconds. Repeat: 3 times.
2. Wrist Flexor Stretch (For Golfer’s Elbow)
- Extend your arm straight with your palm facing up.
- Use your other hand to gently pull your fingers back toward your forearm.
- Hold: 30 seconds. Repeat: 3 times.
3. Eccentric Loading (The “Slow Release”)
- Rest your forearm on a table with your hand hanging off the edge, holding a light weight (like a water bottle).
- Use your “good” hand to lift the weight up.
- Slowly lower the weight back down using only the injured hand (take 3–5 seconds to lower it).
- Do: 2 sets of 10 repetitions.
A Note from Ortho Care Hospital: > Self-treatment is a great start, but chronic pain requires a specialist’s eye. At our Subhanpura clinic, we ensure your recovery is guided by a Comprehensive Approach to prevent the injury from recurring.
Stop the Pain — Book Your Consultation Today!
Don’t let elbow pain limit your life. Whether you’re an athlete or an office goer, expert help is right here in Subhanpura.
Contact Ortho Care Hospital:
- Phone: 093289 74527
- Website: www.orthocarehospital.in
- Address: 2nd Floor Sharnam Enclave, Above Kotak Bank, Subhanpura Main Road, New IPCL Road, Vadodara, 390023