 Many physios, hand therapists and surgeons recommend an elbow strap or counter-force brace to help manage the symptoms of Lateral Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow.
But does an elbow strap actually help Tennis Elbow? The simple answer is yes, it can. And there is research to back this up, click here to read. This article published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 2009 concludes that use of an elbow strap produced 16% more pain-free grip strength when compared with the use of a placebo or a wrist splint. How does an elbow strap work? Wearing an elbow strap just below the elbow, in theory, takes some of the load off the damaged tendons at the elbow. Put simply;
But be warned... There is no guarantee that using an elbow strap for tennis elbow will help! The overall resounding message from the research surrounding non-operative treatment of tennis elbow is- that there is no consensus about what works and does not work! And, in fact, if used incorrectly or for prolonged periods of time, counter-force braces can cause unwanted issues, including compression of the Radial Nerve. So, whats the take home message? Taking load off the tendons will decrease symptoms in tennis elbow- now that's the golden nugget! For other golden nuggets - follow this blog space!
0 Comments
 What is the Brachial Plexus?
The Brachial Plexus is the name given to the network of nerves as they leave the neck on the way to servicing the shoulder, arm and hand. These nerves are responsible for all shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand movements as well as feeling to these areas. Nerve also also have other functions such as sweating, getting goose bumps & hairs standing up when you are cold and knowing where your joints are positioned- even when you can't see them. What is a Brachial Plexus injury? Injury to the Brachial Plexus is when there is a change in the normal continuity of a part of a nerve or several nerves in the Brachial Plexus. The damage to the nerve results in disruption or stopping of the nerve messages as they travel from the spinal cord to the arm. Symptoms of Brachial Plexus Injury As a result of the messages being blocked or stopped the muscle will not get usual messages from the brain. And without the usual messages from the brain, the muscles will not be able to move properly; they may be weak or lack movement all together. In the same way (but back to front) the messages that our skin give us about feeling; temperature, vibration, texture, will not get to the brain as usual. As the messages from the skin won't be able to travel along injured parts of the nerve where the damage has occurred. Therefore, following Brachial Plexus Injury a person will likely have altered, decreased or no feeling in the part of the arm that is usually serviced by the nerves that are damaged. People may experience other symptoms as a result of nerve damage, including; decreased sweat, and therefore slippery hands which can lead to dropping items. Or when it is cold notice a lack of goosebumps and the hairs not standing up. Hair and nail growth in the injured arm and hand may change. And sometimes the involved hand can look a different colour to the other, for example a mottled appearance, or paler or more blue or red in tone. Types of Brachial Plexus injury Damage to the Brachial Plexus can occur due to a traumatic injury or non-traumatic damage;
Some injuries are transient, that is, symptoms are temporary and full recovery will be anticipated within weeks to months. Other injuries will result in permanent loss of movement and feeling to some or all upper limb muscles, leaving operation/s the only option to regain movement.  Operative Carpal Tunnel Release is the procedure used to relieve the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, that is releasing pressure on the median nerve at the level of the wrist. There are two types of surgery commonly performed; endoscopic and open. Both procedures involve cutting the roof of the carpal tunnel, the Transverse Ligament.
Endoscopic Release During Endoscopic surgery the surgeon sees and releases the ligament through a tube which is inserted through a small incision. Following the procedure clients are rarely referred for hand therapy. Open Carpal Tunnel Release Open Carpal Tunnel surgery involves release of the ligament through an incision at the wrist. Open Carpal Tunnel release is especially effective where there is a build up of synovitis or thick fluid or scarring in the carpal tunnel. The open approach allows the surgeon adequate access to the synovitis, such that s/he can remove it. After your Open Carpal Tunnel Release Following this open technique you may wake to find your hand heavily bandaged up, and you may not be able to move your wrist much in these heavy dressings. Stitches are usually removed 10-14 days after the operation. Some people find that their wound opens up in the days following the operation. It is best to discuss this with your surgeon or his/her nurse. If there is no infection present, some wound opening is not usually a concern. Your surgeon, nurse or hand therapist can help to assess and manage wounds. Some people may notice bruising in their palm, this is not usually anything to be concerned about, gently massaging over the bruise may help to settle it. Swelling is also not uncommon after an operation. Hand Therapy can help to manage swelling. Seeking hand therapy assistance early can help get on top of the symptoms early and get you back to using your hand in a timely fashion. Wrist stiffness is also expected when you have been bandaged up. But if stiffness is present in the fingers, thumb, elbow or persists in the wrist- it is recommended you see a hand therapist for assessment of this and advice on how to regain movement. As our hands play such an important role in performing everyday tasks, and many people require the use of their hands for work and hobbies, it can be daunting knowing when is the best time to get back to safely doing certain activities. Our Hand Therapists can help you to regain strength and advise on what tasks are safe to and best to avoid at different time frames following your operation. We can also discuss strategies that can help when you return to work tasks and hobbies which require forceful gripping. We can look at adapting tools, use of specific gloves or splints, and altering the way your body is positioned or moves in specific activities to best protect the operation site. Some people find that they continue to use the strategies they adopt following carpal tunnel release, because they may help reduce recurrence. Carpal Tunnel Release is a relatively common operation, and recovery is usually relatively smooth and straightforward. But if you require a helping hand getting back to doing the things that you most enjoy, a hand therapist can help get you back on track quickly.  The following are ways in which the young manual worker can help to manage symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during everyday activities and work.
These steps don't offer the magic cure that is so commonly sought after. But those who employ the principals; may well find they are rewarded, and possibly avoid an operation. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when a nerve (the Median Nerve) is compressed by the structures that surround it as it passes through the Carpal Tunnel (in the wrist). In younger clients who work hard with their hands this is due to;
Some ways to help manage these symptoms include;
|
Author Jo MarshClick here to edit 
Archives
September 2024
|
RSS Feed
