October 24, 2011

A painful problem that makes routine tasks very difficult is what's going around Central Virginia this week.

Dr. Richard Muller of Buckingham Family Medicine in Dillwyn says elbow tendonitis, often called tennis elbow, is becoming a bigger and bigger problem as people begin raking leaves this Fall.

Symptoms include pain in the outside of the elbow that worsens when you're trying to pick things up. Elbow tendonitis can happen to anyone and can last for a few days to a few weeks.

Treatment options include icing the affected area, doing exercises with a one-pound wright, wearing an elbow band and taking Ibuprofen. Dr. Muller says you should see your primary care physician if those steps don't relieve the pain.

As for preventing flare-ups of tennis elbow, Dr. Muller recommends taking frequent breaks from chores and listening to your body.