Hand & Wrist Center of Houston Home If you suspect broken bones, dislocated joints, lacerated tendons, lacerated nerves, infection, or have an open wound below the elbow, then call us immediately.
 
FOREARM TENDON TIGHTNESS


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

This condition has many names including lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow. There is a much less common version on the inside of the elbow often called medial epicondylitis. The muscles in the forearm involved with gripping have a thick band inside them that doesn't stretch at all. Overuse or misuse of these muscles causes excessive traction and minor tearing on the muscle attachment point at the elbow.  Also tension in the muscle causes the thick band to put pressure on a nerve that runs underneath the muscle. Although the patient doesn't know it, he or she is probably using the arm the wrong way and needs to develop ergonomically correct habits.  See also Radial Tunnel Syndrome.

MEDICAL HISTORY: Sharp pain at the side of the elbow and aching pain in the forearm are the main symptoms that are usually made worse by gripping or trying to lift anything. When advanced, it can even be difficult to straighten the elbow.

EXAMINATION: The outside of the elbow and the upper forearm are tender to applied pressure. Cocking the wrist or fingers back against resistance is painful. Stretching the muscle or straightening the elbow can be difficult.

ADDITIONAL TESTS: None are needed.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

  NON-OPERATIVE SURGICAL RELEASE
CONSISTS OF Stretching, muscle conditioning and ergonomic training Dividing the thick band while leaving the muscle alone
FEATURES Makes the muscle group more elastic with less pressure on nerve and less tension on attachment point Short incision, outpatient, immediate use for light activities
ADVANTAGES Avoids surgery Definitive solution to problem
DISADVANTAGES Only works on muscle tissue, if band is too thick will not be successful Temporary period of weakness where arm cannot be used for heavy activity

RECOVERY

Light everyday activities are allowed immediately. Sutures are removed in the office at 2 weeks. Rehabilitation begins soon after surgery with the same stretching exercises done during the non-operative treatment program. Strengthening comes next along with endurance as the patient prepares to return to heavy activities. Powerful use of the arm doesn't usually occur until several months after surgery as the healing tissues become more mature.
 
 
 
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  • Always a great experience. - 01/13/12
  • Amazing Doctor and staff. - 04/30/12
  • Everyone in the office if always courteous and very knowledgable. Two qualities I really apprieciete about your staff. - 01/24/13
  • Very friendly staff and the facility is extremely clean. - 10/11/12
  • Most organized and efficient doctor visit of my life. Excellent. - 06/12/13
  • I would like to thank Dr.Henry and his wonderful staff for a job will done. Everyone was attentive and accurate. - 12/27/12
  • I am very pleased with medical service and the medical assistants, Joel & Luis are great. Thanks Dr. Henry! - 06/26/12
  • After seeing other doctors unsuccessfully, I found Dr. Henry. I am more than pleased with his medical skills and my course of treatment. Thank you! - 11/13/12
  • Professional Staff and service. Keep up the good work. - 07/06/12
  • Dr. Henry is a fantastic Doctor/Surgeon. He is very profession and demands excellence from himself and his staff. - 02/20/13
  • Overall the Doctor and Staff has been outstanding - 01/23/12
  • I am very impressed and feel very confident with Dr. Henry. I am so grateful to be here! - 03/30/12
  • the staff did an oustanding job. - 05/22/12
  • Go Blue Devils - 01/28/13
  • Very professional as usual. - 04/17/12
  • Very satisfied with my initial visit - 01/22/13
  • VERY PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND VERY HELPFUL AND CONSIDERATE - 03/04/13
  • keep up the outstanding work - 05/30/12
  • DR HENRY IS AN OUTSTANDING PHYSICIAN. HE PROVIDED OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN ALL ASPECTS OF HIS MEDICAL PROFESSION. - 10/09/12
  • Finally, found a hand surgeon with experience, knowledge, expertise, professional and not just wanting to operate. - 11/16/12
  • This was a great experience. My issue was address and I feel confident that it will be resolved. - 01/18/13
  • Thank you! - 11/07/12
  • Thanks everyone - 02/23/12
  • thank yall - 08/13/12
  • I'll like to thanks all the staff,they are very outstanding emlploee very kind ,nice,very patience with me to explaining every thing that is going on and thank you all so much - 05/29/13
  • Had a wonderful experience! Thank you Dr. Henry - 07/25/12
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  • Awesome staff and office. - 03/05/12
  • all excellent!!! - 05/08/12
  • amazing visit. very imformative, clear, concise. - 03/08/13
  • Early morning MD and therapy appts. are very helpful. Courtnee was great. - 12/10/12
  • Glad i came to see the wrist center for a second opinion. i feel i am being cared for by the best in the area and i will be able to resume my life. - 01/27/12
  • AMAZING! - 07/12/12
  • Well Done! The Best.. - 04/09/12
  • Awesome staff! - 10/03/12
  • I've already recommended others to Dr. Henry because of his outstanding abilities to take care of his patients and his excellent staff of professionals. - 02/08/12
  • Under the circumtances, the staff was excellent, but Teresa was awesome throughout the unpacking and packing of the wound. Thank you Dr. Henry for saving my finger. Leanora - 05/03/13
  • The staff here is by far, the "TOPS" in the Houston Medical field. I have felt that I received the best care coming to this facility and will highly recommend you! - 09/04/12
  • Love Dr. Henry! - 11/02/12
  • I was very happy that Dr. Henry pursued a conservative treatment and did not immediately want to operate on my wrist and elbow. He answered all my questions. - 02/17/12
  • loved my experience here - 01/14/13
  • Dr Henry nd his staff are just amazing!So blessed to know that I have a great Dr :) - 04/11/12
  • over all good office visit.Will come again and have already recommended this office and the docter. - 04/16/12
  • best staff i ever delt with medicaly. thank you - 06/20/12
  • The doctor and staff are great - 08/15/12
  • The staff is all polite and I had no trouble making a reservation the same week I first called. - 2/17/12
  • I would recommend Dr. Henry to friends and family. This is my first office visit and as a Doctor, I would like to say that he's Excellent and Professsional with his patients. - 01/18/13
  • Teresa is a very sweet girl very helpfull and concerned for the patients and Joel does his job in a very professional manner. - 05/22/12
  • Best Doctor I've seen and also staff i give the A+ - 03/22/12
  • judy, was dr. assist. and she was outstanding!! Thank You! - 05/17/12
  • Verry happy with the staff - 06/26/12
  • Everyone in the office was professional kind and attentive. I would recommend friend/relative to this office. Thank you for your care. - 04/26/13
  • I am gonna recomend your office to everyone I know!!!! Thank-you for being here for the patients!!!! - 11/12/12
  • Great staff and facilities - 05/08/12
  • Thank you - 10/04/12
  • very professional.did not rush ino surgery even after confirmed testing I would highly recommend this doctor - 03/08/12
  • I was going to therapy here and Courtney was my therapist - she was Great! She was concerned and helpful. - 06/04/13
  • I am super happy with my experience and the outcome of my situation. I would definitely recommend this practice to friends with similar situations. - 02/07/12
  • LOVE Dr. Henry!!! Very thorough and took the time to explain everything. THANK YOU! - 02/23/12
  • Everyone here is awesome! See y'all again soon. - 07/23/12
  • Dr Henry' group is very professional and courteous. They do a great job. - 09/27/12
  • I go arround with a card or two and tell people who did my surgery and i hand them a card and on the back i write my name so you know im doing my job. - 07/17/12
  • LUIS WAS GREAT HE NEEDS A RAISE - 05/17/12
  • was good to see DR HENRY HE ALSO TOOK GOOD CARE OF MY WIFE... - 08/21/12
  • Everything was outstanding and we look forward to our next visit. - 03/20/12
  • Everyone is awesome here! - 09/24/12
  • I would recommend this facility and Dr. Henry to anyone... You sense a genuine feeling that you are receiving the best medical attention possible. - 02/28/12
  • KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK. OUTSTAND STAFF AND AN OUTSTANDING PHYSICIAN. - 06/12/12
  • Outstanding Staff - 05/14/13
  • From the first call everyone I have encountered has been amazing! Thanks - 06/05/13
  • Had I known this process would be as successful and pleasant as it was, I would have done it years ago. - 04/19/13
  • Dr Henry your are a wonderful Doctor I am forever grateful for your skill and experise. - 01/24/13
  • Very nice and clean facility. The staff is great as well as the doctor. - 04/17/12
  • judy was also outstanding - 06/18/12
  • Great people here. I will recommend to everyone that needs hand and wrist help. - 04/09/12
  • Thanks so very much to all of you ..Venanzia Grafton - 05/29/13
  • The staff and Dr. Henry are all the best here. They get the job done, explain everything and you're done. Would highly recommend this facility. - 11/12/12
  • Another successful visit, thank you. - 02/08/12
  • Thank You to Dr. Henry and all of the Staff for all of your care through out these years. - 02/20/13
  • Rock on! - 05/07/13
  • Very professional staff and service was great. - 02/29/12
  • this office was outstanding from the front to the back! Joel + David made me fee so comfortable - 11/12/12
  • Followed all of the doctor's instructions and within a month of the injury I was fully operational and good to go!! - 06/29/12










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