Tennis Elbow Symptoms After the US Open

With the US Open just behind us, tennis fans and players alike were cheering on those big names out there making a play for the championship trophy and staggering amount of prize money up for grabs. This year’s hopefuls have come out swinging, showing their skills on the court, and making a play for that ever-elusive title.

That being said, as any tennis player knows, no matter the level of play, tennis injuries can wreak havoc on your game, and tennis elbow symptoms specifically can keep you from the court.

What is tennis elbow? Also called lateral epicondylitis, tennis elbow is a very common tennis injury that often occurs as a result of overuse, injury, or a strain of the tendon that connects the forearm muscles to bone on the outside of the elbow. Called tennis elbow because it often effects tennis players, it isn’t actually limited to tennis players, but the occurrences are far higher within this sport.

Tennis elbow symptoms occur as a result of the inflammation caused by the overuse or injury of the tendon. This most commonly results in pain and tenderness, but can also lead to wrist and hand grip weakness, pain when the elbow is bent, pain in the forearm, and pain when fingers are strained against resistance.

Although there are not often severe complications from this injury, leaving it untreated can result in chronic pain – that is why it is so important to have any pain or injury examined by a trained sports medicine specialist to diagnose and rule out any serious issues. As with any sports injury, seeking the best medical attention as soon as possible helps ensure the best possible treatment and the shortest recovery time.

What might treatment of tennis elbow include? Depending on the severity of the issues, your doctor might prescribe exercise or rehabilitation to get you to a pre-injury state. Physical therapy might also be suggested as a way to alleviate or eliminate the pain. Treatment may also include corrective training to help avoid the behaviour that led to the injury initially, or a custom elbow brace to help strengthen and reduce stress on the elbow while playing.

Tennis elbow symptoms can be painful, and if left untreated can become progressively worse. Don’t let overuse or an injury keep you from competing indefinitely.

For more about treating the symptoms of tennis elbow please call Athletic Edge Sports Medicine today by calling 416-800-0800.

Avoiding Baseball Injuries - 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Baseball fans: the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is just around the corner! This year, the best of the best will face off at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, for an exciting five day event culminating in the 85^th All-Star Game on July 15^th!

Baseball players: Whether you play in an organized league, on a regular basis, or just have the odd meet-up on the diamond with friends, before heading out there and putting on the glove, be aware of the fact that baseball can be accompanied by a number of unfortunate pains – so be prepared!

Here is a list of the top 5 baseball injuries, their respective symptoms, and treatment options for each.

·       Torn rotator cuff – this is when one or more of the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles is torn. This can be caused by an injury (such as an over extension), or degeneration (repetition), and the severity ranges from a partial tear to a full tear. Pain and inflammation are common symptoms of this type of injury. Treatment can included physical therapy to improve flexibility and the strength of the muscles surrounding the joint, or may require more extensive treatment if the injury is severe.  

·       Tennis elbow – this is the result of an abrupt or subtle injury to the muscle and tendon area on the outside of the elbow. This manifests as pain, usually worse when shaking your hands or squeezing objects. Treatment may include physical therapy or a custom elbow brace.

·       Knee injuries – most commonly caused by an impact against the knee or a sudden twist of the joint which can rip the cartilage in the meniscus, usually resulting in significant pain. Strained or torn ligaments are also common, and are also quite painful and can decrease movement. Treatment includes rest, physical therapy and knee bracing. 

·       Head injuries – concussions are also one of the most common baseball injuries, and even with a helmet, concussions can occur as a result of a fall or a hit, or of course a baseball to the head. Since they are so difficult to diagnose, the threat of a concussion needs to be examined by a physician right away. 

·       Wrist injuries – wrist sprains and strains are common in baseball, often due to falls. Wrist tendinitis can also be a problem for many baseball players. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and a decrease in the range in motion. Common treatment may include a wrist brace or medication – but always speak to a physician for a diagnosis.

It doesn’t matter if you play at the same level as those players participating in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game or you just like to play on Sunday afternoons, baseball injuries are an unfortunate reality of the game. The best thing that you can do if you suffer an injury is to seek treatment from a sports injury clinic to avoid further injury and decrease pain.

For more about dealing with one of these baseball injuries, please contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine. Call us today at 416-800-0800.

Plantar Fasciitis Keeping You Off Your Feet? Sonocur Shockwave Therapy Could Be The Solution

With spring upon us, it's time to get back outside and enjoy our favourite sport. Be it running, volleyball, soccer, or golf - or all of them - exercising pain-free isn't too much to ask. But what if you suffer from plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the tissues at the bottom of the foot. These tissues connect the heel bone to the toes. It occurs when those tissues are overused (overstretched), causing the muscles to tighten and become quite painful.  This is often impacts the most seasoned long-distance runners. Another cause of plantar fasciitis is sudden weight gain (which puts added pressure on the tissues). The pain is often constant, and can even make the simplest tasks, such as walking, very difficult.

If you think that you may have plantar fasciitis there are plantar fasciitis treatments available, including treatment options that don’t involve invasive surgical procedures. Invasive procedures like surgery to remedy plantar fasciitis can keep you off of your feet for weeks. If you suffer from the pain caused by plantar fasciitis, you don’t have to suffer through it. One really great plantar fasciitis treatment is Sonocur shockwave therapy.

What is shockwave therapy? Sonocur shockwave therapy is a high-tech, non-invasive form of treatment delivering low-energy sound waves to the affected area, helping to encourage the growth of new blood vessels and break down scar tissue. The procedure is pain-free, and does not require any anesthesia – just sit back and relax and let the doctor work his or her magic.

A major benefit to electing shockwave therapy as a plantarfasciitis treatment is the amount of time saved.  Instead of requiring extensive downtime, this treatment, covered over a period of weeks, affords immediate relief, letting you get back out there right away - no recovery time needed!

Sonocur therapy isn’t just for plantar fasciitis since it works on way more than just feet. Sonocur shockwave therapy can also help with these other conditions: jumper’s knee and runner’s knee, tendonitis (rotator cuff, biceps, quadriceps, Achilles), tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Many of these conditions can keep you from the field or the track due to pain caused while trying to partake. Shockwave therapy can get you back out there straight away.

If you are suffering from foot pain, don’t ignore it. Sonocur shockwave therapy is a proven effective plantar fasciitis treatment that will help you get back in the game.

For more information about shockwave therapy, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.