Triceps Tendonitis and Strain

What is triceps tendonitis and strain?

An injury to a muscle or tendon is called a strain. Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, a strong band of connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone. Your triceps muscle, which acts to straighten your arm, is attached to the bony bump at the back of your elbow by a large tendon. Triceps tendonitis causes pain in the back part of the upper arm near the point of your elbow.

How does it occur?

Triceps tendonitis occurs from overuse of the upper arm and elbow, especially in activities like throwing and hammering. It may also be caused by a direct blow to the triceps muscle or tendon. A triceps strain can occur with a forceful straightening of your arm or elbow.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• pain when you straighten your elbow or fully bend your elbow
• tenderness at the triceps muscle and tendon
• swelling near the point of the elbow

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will review your history and examine your arm and elbow. If your provider thinks there may be a chip off the bone at the point of your elbow, he or she may order an X-ray.

How is it treated?

• Use ice packs on the painful area for 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a day until the pain goes away. You can also do ice massage: Freeze water in a cup and tear back the top of the cup. Rub the injured area with the ice for 5 to 10 minutes, 3 times a day. Be careful when icing your elbow. An important nerve runs just under the skin and can be damaged if you ice more than is recommended.
• Your healthcare provider may recommend an anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen. Adults aged 65 years and older should not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine for more than 7 days without their healthcare provider's approval.
• You may be given a strap to wear around the lower part of your triceps during activities that cause discomfort.
• Your healthcare provider will give you rehabilitation exercises to help in your recovery.

When can I return to my normal activities?

Everyone recovers from an injury at a different rate. Return to your activities will be determined by how soon your arm recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury has occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better. The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your normal activities as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury.

You may return to your normal activities when:

• You no longer have tenderness or swelling at your triceps muscle or tendon.
• You have regained strength in your injured arm so that it is similar to the strength of your uninjured arm.
• You have full range of motion in your injured arm compared to your uninjured arm.

How is triceps tendonitis and strain prevented?

The best way to prevent triceps tendonitis is to avoid overuse and forceful movements of your upper arm and elbow. It is important to recognize early symptoms so you do not make your injury worse by overactivity.