Article by:
Amelia Grant
Computer elbow, often known as mouse elbow, is a similar condition to tennis elbow in which repetitive activities such as grasping and squeezing a mouse and typing on a keyboard create muscle or tendon pain in your elbow.
Computer elbow, commonly known as tennis elbow and medically as lateral epicondylitis, is a common source of elbow discomfort. Tennis elbow risk factors have been extensively investigated, and it is well-accepted that in many cases, the onset can be linked to specific activities.
While it can be produced by strenuous movements over a short period of time, such as heavy lifting or cutting a garden hedge, it is more usually induced by lower-impact actions, such as using a computer keyboard or mouse for several hours every day during the workweek.
As with other painful tendon disorders, several ideas exist, but the specific reason is unknown. For many years, it was commonly believed that a little injury to or repetitive movements of the elbow tendon caused a minute tear that could not heal and the body's attempts to restore it failed. The ensuing scar in the tendon is fragile, making it susceptible to more tiny tears.
As we age, our bodies become less efficient at arranging and linking the proteins that make up the tendon, making them more prone to injury.
There are certain actions you may take to assist relieve computer elbow or any other elbow pain caused by repeated motion.
Avoid or limit the activity that is causing the pain. This should be your top priority, and you should avoid or limit any activities that aggravate or exacerbate the discomfort;
Consider taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. A brief course of anti-inflammatory pills, such as ibuprofen, available at supermarkets and pharmacies, can often relieve discomfort;
Keep the elbow moving to prevent stiffness. Stretching exercises can be beneficial: hold the arm straight, palm facing the floor, and slowly bend the wrist downwards, using the other hand to gently bring it towards the body. Hold for fifteen seconds. This can be done four or six times per day;
Massaging the sore area might provide great relief. Begin just above the sore spot on the outside of the elbow and rub in a side-to-side motion with firm pressure with the index and middle fingers of the opposite hand, gradually advancing towards the hand. This can be done four or six times per day.
Wearing an elbow clasp or brace can be useful. Some patients find this useful. These devices exert mild pressure on the muscles just beneath the tendon, which may alleviate tension on the tennis elbow area during repetitive or intense activities.
Where elbow discomfort has occurred as a result of job or leisure activities, it is critical to try to discover elements that can be adjusted so that you can resume these activities as quickly as feasible.
When working at a computer on a desk, there are modifications to using a keyboard or mouse that might reduce the continuous stress on the elbow tendons, which can cause pain. A "vertical mouse" is used with the hand resting on its side rather than facing the floor to prevent putting the wrist and forearm tendons under tension.
Other ergonomic improvements can be beneficial, such as utilizing a chair with lumbar support and adjustable height to keep the computer screen level with the eyes. When working for long amounts of time at a computer, it is critical to take regular breaks to allow for a change in posture and relieve tension on the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
