Elbow Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries can be chronic or acute damage from overuse injuries or trauma. These are common injuries of the workplace and home life alike.

Preventing over use injuries is ideal, through stretches, ergonomics in the work place, regular changing positions, and for forceful gripping activities attempting to change the grip and handle position as able. There are many physiotherapy exercises to assist with both medial epicondylosis (golfers elbow) and lateral epicondylosis (tennis elbow). Dr Drynan have videos and rehabilitation protocols and exercises to assist with recovery from these injuries and return to function.

Occasionally the pain doesn't settle or fails to improve significantly with physiotherapy, then surgical interventions may be considered, but this should be discussed with your primary care provider and Dr Drynan.

Tears of the distal biceps are common in the active individual. Often in males reaching forward and having an unexpected load applied to the arm leading to a tear. Some patients may have a partial tear for some time with anterior vague elbow pain that may require physiotherapy or surgical intervention.
An acute distal biceps tear should be seen with relevant urgency in the rooms to have an open conversation regarding options for management, such as non operative and operative options.
Operative options include reattaching the biceps to the bicipital tuberosity, area on the radius that it originally attached. The aim of this operation is to return the near normal strength with certain activities after the tear, although surgical risks are involved such as stiffness, scar and nerve injury. Rehabilitation after most tendon injuries is required.

Triceps injuries although rare can cause ongoing pain in active individuals. Often a sequelae of a traction injury to the triceps insertion, or a muscle tear to the medial head of the tricep muscle. (three muscles in one)

Triceps tears are functionally limiting in those with moderate to high functional demands and like most tendon injuries or avulsions, they may have a preceding painful prodrome (time prior to rupture). Even with this pain prior to tear/rupture, relative speedy expert advice regarding options and outcomes is beneficial for appropriate return to function.

Often presenting with pain over the tip of the elbow and when resting the elbow on the desk/table. First line treatment may include resting, elbow pads and pain relief. If this continues be of concern you may talk to your primary physician or Dr Drynan regarding options.