If your outer elbow hurts and it is difficult to grip objects, what should you check?

If you experience pain on the outer side of your elbow when extending your wrist, such as when lifting a cup or opening a bottle cap, and feel weakness in your grip strength, it may indicate that the tendons on the outer side of your elbow are being repeatedly irritated.

You may experience similar symptoms even without racket sports if you repeatedly use your wrists and fingers in daily or work activities such as computer work, cooking, or cleaning.

• Pain on the outer side of the elbow when lifting a cup or bag
• Pain when opening a bottle cap or wringing out a towel
• Pain is reproduced when the wrist is extended against resistance.
• Weak grip strength, frequently dropping objects
• Pain is reproduced upon pressing the outer side of the elbow.
• Stiffness in the elbow upon waking in the morning

Depending on whether the location of pain is on the outside or inside, the movements to check and the causes differ.

If the elbow shape changes after a fall, or if it is severely swollen and cannot move, we recommend an evaluation to determine whether there is a fracture or dislocation. If the joint is red and hot, accompanied by high fever, or if sensation and strength in the hand rapidly decline, prompt medical consultation is necessary.

If your fingers become pale or cold and the pulse feels weak, you should also check the condition of your blood vessels.

We ask about your occupation, exercise habits, repetitive hand movements, and the time when pain began. We check elbow bending and straightening, resisted wrist and finger movements, grip strength, and the location where pain is reproduced.

If finger numbness or reduced hand strength is also present, we examine the nerves around the neck, elbow and wrist to distinguish which area may be involved.

When there are no warning signs and management of connected movements in the elbow, wrist, and shoulder as well as tension in tendons and muscles is needed, Chuna manual therapy and acupuncture combined with pharmacopuncture can be considered.

Rather than completely prohibiting movements that cause pain, we adjust the handle thickness, tool usage method, number of repetitions, and rest intervals. Once the pain subsides, gradually restore the strength of the wrist and elbow muscles starting from a low intensity.