Link between yard work, elbow tendinitis, doctors say

Yard work is a great way to get exercise in the fall.

But it's also a great way to get "tennis elbow," or tendinitis of the elbow.

It's usually caused by the overuse of forearm muscles, while raking leaves, pruning shrubs, or digging and planting.

"The problem with repetitive gripping and twisting activities, so every time we grip something very firm and hard we extend our wrists and we get pain, or tendonitis, on the outer part of the elbow," said elbow specialist Dr. Peter Evans.

Sometimes the pain only lasts a few days, but it can also turn into a nagging problem.

Rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medication can help.

For more severe cases, arm straps or braces may be needed.

Stretching exercises and some yoga moves can also help prevent the injury.