What is Elbow Hyperextension?
Elbow hyperextension is when excessive pressure is applied to the elbow forcing the joints to extend past its normal range of motion. This type of injury is more common in high impact activities and contact sports. Hyperextending the elbow can cause significant damage to the ligaments, tendons and bones in the elbow.
Better Braces has a range of elbow braces to support you so you can get back to your everyday life. The elbow braces range from an arm sling to flexible elastic elbow supports for everyday use.
What causes Elbow Hyperextension?
Straightening out your arm until your elbow is locked will give you an indication of your elbows natural range of motion. Hyperextension occurs when traumatic force pushes the elbow joint past your natural range of motion.
In contact and high impact sports there are many variabilities that can cause hyperextension:
- Awkward landing
- Incorrect technique and form
- Contact sports e.g. tackling
- Lifting weights
- Arm wrestling
- Overuse/excessive trauma
We recommend you seek professional advice to diagnose the severity of your injury and the appropriate treatment. It is common for people who have sustained a hyperextension injury to wear elbow braces or supports. These elbow braces and supports can greatly reduce the risk of hyperextension as they help keep your elbow joints secured within your natural range of motion.
Here at Better Braces we are very familiar with all types of elbow injuries and are able to accommodate the support you need. To get you back to your usual self as soon as possible we offer fast delivery and price match guarantee.
Symptoms and Treatments of Elbow Hyperextension
Hyperextension is an injury that happens in an instant, it is quick and sudden, usually resulting in a sharp intense pain. The following symptoms are common identifiers:
- Shooting pains when moving the elbow
- Elbow feels significantly weaker
- Stiffness and inflammation
- Touching the elbow causes pain
- Spasms in the surrounding muscles
Elbow hyperextension can be classed anywhere from a light injury to severe depending on the force and application. If you think you have sustained a moderate hyperextension injury, apply the RICE treatment as soon as possible:
- Rest the affected area straight away – limit actions
- Ice the elbow to reduce swelling and inflammation
- Compress the elbow to relieve swelling
- Elevation above the heart level also helps with swelling and pain
The RICE method is a common and useful method that can treat minor to moderate injuries, if you believe you might have sustained a more serious hyperextension injury please consult your doctor.
