Tendons are a band of fibrous connective tissue that connect muscles to bones. Tendons have unique properties and serve important functions:

• Tendons help to move our bones and amplify the effect of muscle contractions
• They also play an important role in attenuating and absorbing shock that is transmitted from bone into muscle
• Tendons are strong but they are not designed to stretch or deform easily
• They can become weaker or stronger/stiffer in response to a training stimulus
• Training can make a tendon more prone to or more resilient against, injury.

If you look at an anatomical picture of the elbow, you will notice that the tendons of many muscles attach near the elbow. Technically, any of these tendons can experience tendonitis though some are more prone to the condition than others. Below is a list of muscles that attach near the elbow:

• Biceps brachii
• Brachioradialis
• Brachialis
• Triceps
• Anconeus
• Supinator
• Extensor muscles of the wrist (Tennis elbow)
• Flexor muscles of the wrist (Golfer’s elbow)

Causes and contributing factors for developing tendonitis include ramping up the volume of a new activity too quickly, muscle strength or length impairments, movement pattern inefficiencies and biomechanical errors in the shoulder and arm. Signs and symptoms suggestive of elbow tendonitis include:

• Pain near the elbow when the involved muscle is contracted
• Pain over the elbow when the involved muscle is stretched (such as straightening the elbow, rotating the forearm or flexing/extending the wrist)
• Swelling or inflammation over the injured tendon near the elbow
• Stiffness when moving the elbow
• A feeling of weakness in the arm or forearm

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your elbow tendonitis issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR ELBOW MUSCLE TENDONITIS

If you experience persistent elbow tendonitis or find yourself stuck in a cycle of taking breaks from your activities only to have symptoms return as soon as you ramp back up, it’s time to see a physical therapist. Full rest may benefit the inflamed and acute case of tendonitis but will actually weaken a tendon that has begun to degenerate.

When you come to Evolve Physical Therapy, my team of physical therapists and I will apply the latest evidence on tendon management to improve your symptoms and the strength and stiffness of the tendon. Manual therapy techniques to promote tendon fiber alignment, address scar tissue, mobilize edema and reduce pain are implemented early in your care. When inflammation has subsided, we will address other contributing factors like muscle weakness, nonoptimal movement patterns, lack of flexibility and training errors through interventions such as stretching and strengthening exercises.

We then use a carefully prescribed, graded loading program to build resilience in the tendon and promote healing of the tissues, therefore increasing its ability to withstand the forces placed on it during sport, exercise and everyday activities. Through this process, you should begin to return to your normal activities with fewer symptoms until you can resume your prior level of activity without pain. A home program of exercises and tendon management strategies can help maintain the health and happiness of your elbow tendons after discharge.

Tendonitis of the elbow muscles can certainly put a damper on your favorite activities but physical therapy can help you find a lasting solution. Stop the cycle of rest and repeat and call Evolve Physical Therapy today. Our team of physical therapists is ready to help you heal that tendon and get back to the activities you love.