What is Bowler’s Elbow?

How Can Our Orthopedic Surgeon Paramus, NJ Help?

Have you been experiencing pain in the elbow that you bowl with or have had difficulty using your elbow? You may be experiencing a condition called bowler’s elbow. Doctors diagnose this condition as an inflammation of the tendons. Thankfully, it can be treated with physical therapy. Also, in some cases, the injury may be severe enough to warrant surgery. If you or someone you know is looking for an orthopedic surgeon Paramus, NJ can trust, then the New York Sports Medicine Institute can help!

Synopsis of Bowler’s Elbow

Bowler’s elbow is a form of epicondylitis, or tendinitis in the elbow, where the elbow’s tendons are inflamed due to overuse. If you have heard of tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, you may be wondering if bowler’s elbow is the same condition. 

Bowler’s elbow results from overuse of the elbow’s tendons, which are located by the epicondyle, which is a bony protrusion in the upper arm. Bowler’s elbow most often appears in the medial epicondyle due to that condition being caused by wrist movements found in bowling techniques, and kind of injury is the same as golfer’s elbow. This injury can result in several symptoms, such as:

• Sharp or dull pain in the forearm 
• Pain that gets worse when gripping something
• Weakness in the arm or elbow 
• Numbness or tingling
• Pain when flexing against weight, such as a bowling ball
• Weakened grip

These symptoms are caused due to the elbow’s tendons not being as flexible and strong as before the injury. Bowling is not the only cause of this condition, and at the New York Sports Medicine Institute, our therapists can determine what caused your injury and how to treat it!

Causes of Bowler’s Elbow

Bowler’s elbow can result from a few factors. If you think you may be suffering from this condition, you may be wondering what’s caused the condition. If you bowl and have pain in your elbow, it may be from the following causes:

• Improper technique when gripping the ball, turning your wrist, or extending your elbow
• Bowling with too heavy of a ball
• Gripping the ball too tightly
• Weak or stiff tendons when bowling

These causes contribute to weakening your elbow, and some of these causes can come from activities other than bowling. Extending your elbow out too far or turning your wrist when lifting any heavy object can cause bowler’s elbow.

Bowlers often state that this condition worsens over time without treatment, so it is always best to seek treatment if you believe you have bowler’s elbow. Luckily, the New York Sports Medicine Institute can help you!

Treatment for Bowler’s Elbow

A doctor will properly diagnose your condition and provide you with a treatment plan that works for you. If you are considering going to a sports medicine facility for treatment, you may be wondering, “What kind of treatments are available for me?” Here are some remedies your therapist may give you for your bowler’s elbow:

• Immobilization: This form of treatment involves putting the affected elbow in a brace to keep it from moving as much. Immobilization lets the tendon rest to prevent further injury to the elbow. 
• Physical Therapy: With this form of treatment, a physical therapist will first reduce your elbow pain with different therapies, such as electrical stimulation or ice therapy. Once the pain has subsided, the therapist will then help you restore function in the elbow’s tendons with exercises. Many of these exercises involve strengthening the tendon and increasing its mobility, preventing further injury.
• Surgery: This form of treatment is often the last resort for therapists, but if the injury is severe enough, then surgery will be required. For example, if there is excessive tension on the tendons in the elbow, surgery will be performed to release that pressure so that the inflammation will go down. If you need an orthopedic surgeon Paramus, NJ can count on, then the New York Sports Medicine Institute is here for you!

How to Prevent Bowler’s Elbow

Bowler’s elbow can set back a bowler for a reasonable amount of time. If you are a bowler and are looking to prevent this injury, you can take the following measures:

• Use a ball with a weight that you can handle
• Use a ball with holes that will fit your fingers
• Check the ball you’re using for proper drilling
• Do stretching exercises for your elbow before bowling
• Keep your arm tucked into your body when bowling
• Make sure that your grip on the ball is right

By employing these techniques, you can prevent injury when bowling. However, if you do become injured and need guidance on how to avoid re-injury, the New York Sports Medicine Institute can help you on that front as well!

Orthopedic Surgeon Paramus, NJ

If you’re a bowler who’s dealing with bowler’s elbow or just someone with epicondylitis, you know how stressful it is to get back into your sport or do daily activities with this condition. However, you don’t have to be in pain any longer! If you or someone you know is looking for an orthopedic surgeon Paramus, NJ then the New York Sports Medicine Institute is the right place for you! Please visit our website to learn more about us and make an appointment today!