This is a follow up consultation for a horrible month of pain preventing Suzanne from exercising. I diagnosed her with an injury you may be able to relate to, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Because the extensor muscles of the forearm are supplied by the radial nerve which has a C5-6 nerve root, as does the shoulder, it is quite common to find tennis elbow and shoulder pain. Neck and shoulder pain often go hand in hand, potentially for the same reason. Osteos call this facilitation or somatic dysfunction. Physios will call this sensitisation.
I remember reading a study not long ago which detailed how the extensors respond really well to eccentric strengthening. However this is quite a traumatic method of loading a sensitised muscle. So we went in with some novel movements last week with some self massage. We’re continuing today with some isometric loading before moving onto eccentric loading next week.
Her shoulder pain has reduced by 100% in a week and her elbow pain has reduced by 40% so I am excited to see where she ends up next week
Her full rehab plan is below. Let me know what you think
Self Management / Novel Movements
Pain Relief (desensitisation, pain education, home tools/ management) 3 x 60 seconds
1. novel movements of the elbow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BgioD1wGZ0
2. weighted shoulder flexion, supine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c601_52sEzM
3. self massage elbow
Phase One
Rehabilitation (Basic Load i.e. load or isometric exercises; Strategise graded improvements to function)
1. iso elbow