Repetitive Elbow Injuries and Workers’ Compensation

A work injury is not always caused by acute trauma. In many cases, work injuries occur over time from repetitive use or repetitive motion. Individuals who perform jobs that require repetitive lifting, and/or gripping/grasping such as –painters, plumbers, carpenters, butchers, cooks, mechanics, etc., are at an increased risk of developing repetitive elbow injuries such as lateral and medial epicondylitis. Moreover, these elbow conditions can also develop from repetitive movements involving prolonged extension of the wrist or hand, such as repetitive use of a keyboard and mouse.

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is an inflammation of the tendon located on the outside of the elbow connecting the elbow joint to the forearm muscles that extend the wrist and fingers. Overuse of this muscle and joint from repetitive typing, lifting, or gripping/grasping, can cause irritation and inflammation of the elbow tendons.

Symptoms of lateral epicondylitis usually worsen gradually. Common symptoms include soreness, tenderness, weakness, swelling, and pain radiating to the forearm. Individuals with tennis elbow also experience reduced grip strength and pain when gripping or grasping. Because tennis elbow pain tends to flare up during repetitive arm, wrist, and elbow work, you may notice it hurts if you do lots of heavy lifting.

Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) is a condition in which the bony bump at the inside of the elbow is painful and tender. The pain of golfer’s elbow may appear suddenly or gradually. Symptoms of golfer’s elbow include pain, swelling, stiffness and/or tenderness, weakness in the hands and wrists, and numbness or tingling that radiates into one or more fingers.

Overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm and elbow are common causes of medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow). Repetitive activities such as, shoveling, chopping, use of tools that require forceful gripping (i.e. hammer, wrench, screwdriver) and heavy lifting can cause medial epicondylitis.

Work injuries due to repetitive trauma are almost always denied by workers’ comp insurance providers. That is why it is important to retain an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to fight for the maximum amount of workers’ compensation benefits that you are entitled to under Illinois law.

If you are denied workers’ compensation benefits for any reason, it is important that you retain an experienced and knowledgeable Illinois workers’ comp attorney who will aggressively fight for your benefits. Contact the attorneys at Woodruff Johnson & Evans. We work hard for hard-working people.