The Details of Triceps Tendonitis
Triceps tendonitis is a condition in which one has severe tendonitis in their triceps. Tendonitis, no matter where it occurs may cause problems with range of motion and ability to stretch out the arm or lift. With the tricep muscle being attached to the back of the elbow, the tendonitis is often mistaken to be in the elbow. Either way, tendonitis is painful and can take awhile to heal.
The Symptoms of Triceps Tendonitis
If you have ever suffered from triceps tendonitis, there are any number of symptoms that you could have had before you finally figured out what was going on. Tendonitis in the tricep area can make you feel pain in the lower back part of your arm, and commonly those who have it will feel pain when trying to lift objects or weights. Stretching the arm can even be painful when stretching out prior to a workout, and it’s important to look to see if there is swelling behind the arm too as that can be a symptom of triceps tendonitis. The symptoms of this condition don’t dissolve easily, and therefore can cause pain anytime that pressure is applied to this muscle. Rest is usually the best and most highly recommended way to resolve that, but it’s not always easy when you are active and have a family along with other obligations like cleaning and cooking. Many of your daily responsibilities may require that you use this part of your arm on a regular basis, so what should you do?
The Treatment Options for Triceps Tendonitis
The best way to find out what is going on and what you should do to treat tendonitis, is to see a medical professional. The primary choice in this case would be to see an orthopedic doctor, or a sports medicine physician. When seeing an orthopedic or sports medicine physician, an assessment is usually made once you have gone over the list of symptoms that you have been experiencing. Once you go over the list, they may take an x-ray to see if there is something more pressing going on. It is better to be safe than sorry, as any number of things could be wrong until there is evidence. Chipping of the bone in that area could possibly bring about the same symptoms, so it’s always best to take a look.
Treatment usually begins with stretching exercises that are designed to work that muscle in the proper direction. Some exercises you normally do may still be okay, but the doctor may want you to use a modified version of that exercise. Doing repetitive exercises that involve light weights may also be a part of the protocol, and after exercising those muscles an ice pack is usually recommended to bring blood to the area that needs healing.
What is the Cure for Triceps Tendonitis?
Triceps Tendonitis is not a condition that can be cured, however it can be treated with any of the methods that we just talked about earlier in this article. Tendonitis is generally best treated with stretching exercises that will be recommended by your sports medicine doctor along with the use of an ice pack. Ice packs are a great everyday treatment, but you need to use them properly. Some doctors will recommend that you leave them on for fifteen minutes, then take them off for fifteen minutes and then repeat that for a few hours.
Another common treatment is the use of a brace that you can wear around your arm to give you extra support, especially when you are participating in your normal activities that may cause you pain. Taking a good anti-inflammatory is generally a part of the protocol as well. Ibuprofen is the most commonly used, but doctors may often recommend something different if that irritates your stomach, or if you have a tendency to develop ulcers as a result of using it. Talk to your primary care doctor today if you have concerns, or if you need a referral to help you get the tendonitis resolved.