A FAST Procedure to Treat Tennis Elbow

 

The fancy name for tennis elbow is Lateral Epicondylitis and it refers to a condition that that results in the deterioration of tendon fibers (tendonitis) that attach to the bone on the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow strikes people that engage in activities that require repeated use of the forearm muscles: tennis, golf, racquet ball, or bowling. It can also affect painters, plumbers, auto workers and cooks because they also tend to overuse the forearm muscle. .

The FAST (focused aspiration of soft tissue) procedure, done under local anesthesia with ultrasound guidance, offers a minimally invasive approach to treating tennis elbow. Anyone who experiences tendinitis for more than three months is a good candidate for the treatment. Additionally, , anyone who has failed more conservative treatments like physical therapy or cortisone injections should consider the procedure.

At Texas Orthopedics, Dr. Michael Loeb has seen a lot of success with the FAST procedure.  And because it’s a quick procedure, requiring only about 15 minutes, it’s done while the patient is completely awake. Best of all…recovery is fast and easy. Most patients can return to work the next day.

 

To find out if you’re a candidate for the FAST procedure call Texas Orthopedics at (512) 439-1001 or request an appointment online.

 

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Texas Orthopedics Sees Spike in Springtime Sports Injuries

Spring is in the air – finally! That means it’s time to pull out your favorite sports gear and get back to those outdoor activities you haven’t done in months. But not so fast.

You may be surprised to learn sports injury rates increase dramatically in the spring, as many sports enthusiasts and fitness buffs don't take time or care to ease back in to their activities. Keyword folks: ease back into it.

Many people who’ve been inactive all winter make the mistake of suddenly returning to physical activity without proper training and conditioning. We typically tell folks to return to activities gradually, taking four to six weeks before going 100 percent.

Jumping into things could translate to painful, acute injuries, like wrist fractures, ankle sprains and shoulder dislocations, as well as overuse injuries, such as tennis elbow, swimmer's shoulder, runner's knee and shin splints. Overuse injuries typically occur when someone tries too much, too fast.

And when considering activities for your kids, remember some sports carry a greater risk of injury than others. Bicycling, basketball, football, baseball/softball and soccer are the leading cause of spring and summer sports injuries among children ages 5-14. We see all kinds of injuries from these sports such as fractures, dislocations, strains and abrasions/contusions.

Exercise these safety these tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' STOP Sports Injuries campaign:

• Use proper equipment. Replace worn athletic shoes and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
• A fitness program should include cardiovascular, strength training and flexibility exercises.
• Warm up and stretch before exercise, and make cooling down the final phase of your exercise routine.
• Drink enough water to prevent dehydration.
• Take days off from exercise and rest when tired.

Remember, the old training rule of ‘no pain, no gain’ is a recipe for injury, so take your time, go easy and enjoy!

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Adult Repetitive Strain Disorders, Part One

Post provided by Barbara Bergin, MD

Why do we get repetitive strain disorders?

- Because our bodies wear out and we do a lot of repetitive activities. As our population ages we're seeing more and more of these disorders. I see a different set of repetitive strains in younger aged individuals, mostly related to participation in sports. Of course an older person can get repetitive strain disorders from playing sports, but they can also get them from hanging up clothes in the closet and getting milk cartons off the top shelf of the refrigerator. Just because you go out and throw a ball a little, doesn't mean the milk carton wasn't the culprit. And just because your grandson can throw the ball to you all day, doesn't mean you can return it all day.

What are repetitive strain disorders?

- There are some very common disorders. They include:

- impingement syndrome: a disorder of the rotator cuff tendons. I also group shoulder bursitis and rotator cuff tears (partial and complete) with impingement syndrome.

- greater trochanteric bursitis: a disorder of the fluid filled sac that is on top of that prominent bone on the side of the hip. I see this more often in woman than in men. It's related to the shape of our pelvis and the way we move.

- plantar fasciitis: a common disorder of the foot, also seen more commonly in women. It results in pain on the bottom of the heel and is commonly called a heel spur. It's not due to an actual heel spur.

- lateral epicondylitis: Also known as tennis elow.

There are many other, less common repetitive strain disorders involving just about every tendon and muscle in the body.

What can I do about repetitive strain disorders?

- Rest: This doesn't always mean putting it in a splint, cast or brace. It usually means modifying the painful activity. As soon as you notice pain due to some repetitive activity and you can reproduce the pain by doing the activity, you should modify it. That might mean bracing the extremity involved. It could mean stopping that activity altogether. More often it means changing the way you do the activity; lessening the number of times you do it, decreasing the intensity of the activity, modifying the way you do it. For example, if I have pain in my shoulder when I get a large milk carton out of the top shelf of the refrigerator, I will start buying 1/2 quart containers and lower the shelf on which I put the larger bottles!

- Anti-inflammation: This can range from the application of ice to prescribing medications.

- Exercise: This might include some stretches or some strengthening exercises depending on the condition and the level of pain you are experiencing.