A New Name for a Familiar Injury
Are you an avid pickleball player who has started to experience pain throughout your elbow, forearm, and wrist? You may have developed lateral epicondylitis, better known by its common name, tennis elbow. But as pickleball takes off in popularity, this common injury has earned itself a new name: pickleball elbow.
The hand therapists at Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab in Fort Myers, FL can help you address this painful condition no matter what you call it! As experts in your body’s upper extremities, we are well-equipped to help you find a way to resolve your pain so you can get back out on the pickleball courts.
What are the Symptoms and Causes of Pickleball Elbow?
Pickleball elbow is an overuse injury caused by the repetitive swinging motion necessary in the sport and by using improper form when swinging your paddle. It’s not caused by one major trauma but rather several microtraumas that compound over time, which strains the muscles and tendons in your elbow and forearm.
Symptoms include the following:
- Pain that radiates from the outside of your elbow and into your forearm and wrist
- An increase in pain when playing pickleball or using your hand and wrist for other activities
- Elbow stiffness
- Weakness in your forearm, wrist, or hand
The Hand Therapy Approach to Resolving Pickleball Elbow
Hand therapy is one of the best ways to alleviate your elbow pain so you can get back to the game you love! Our therapists will design a custom treatment plan to relieve pain, restore mobility, and correct muscle weaknesses that might have contributed to the injury in the first place.
While every plan is different, we’ll generally use a blend of manual therapy techniques and targeted exercise in Fort Myers, FL to help you find relief:
- Manual therapy uses hands-on approaches like elbow mobilization or soft tissue techniques to reduce restriction and pain, promote blood flow, and help improve your range of motion.
- Targeted exercises will help manage pain and build the strength necessary to keep you from future injury.
Pickleball is a fun way to stay active and engaged in your community, and the hand therapists at Cascade Hand & Orthopedic Rehab will make sure you get to stay out on the courts!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!