[2015] Jackie Perron-Smith: Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Symptoms-Gradual development of symptoms-Localized pain in the ECRB area-Grip weakness As activities continue, the symptoms usually get worse. If acttivity are continued, treatment can take longer and perhaps surgery will be needed.

What is Tennis Elbow?An inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles in the forearm on the outside of the elbow. From varying causes, these muscles can become damaged from motion repetition, which leads to the sharp pain and tenderness in the area outside the elbow. The name comes from playing tennis and other racquet sports that overuse these muscles, although many other activities can cause the injury.

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

What parts are affected?Tennis elbow affects your elbow joint made up of three bones: the humerus, the radius and the ulna. There are bony bumps at the bottom of the humerus called epicondyles. “The bony bump on the outside of the elbow is called the lateral epicondyle.” Several muscles, ligaments and tendons hold the elbow together. Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, involves the muscles and tendons of your forearm. Tendons attach muscles to bones so the tendon often associated with tennis elbow is the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis (ECRB), because it is the tendon that is attached to the Lateral epicondylitis. Many actions can cause tennis elbow, but it is repetition that causes irritation and inflammation, which then causes the pain and tenderness that is tennis elbow.

Gender does not affect the likelyhood of getting tennis elbow. Although you can get injury on your non-dominant hand, the injury usually occurs on the dominant hand.

Causes1. Overuse. The ECRB muscle stabilizes the wrist and elbow, so during activities, it is often impacted and under much pressure causing it to get microscopic tears in the tendon that attaches itself to the lateral epicondyle. “This leads to inflammation and pain.” In addition, simple “wear and tear” over time can cause irritation.2. Activities. Although athletes are likely to get tennis elbow, they are not the only people that do get it. To have tennis elbow, it requires repetitive and aggressive use of the forearm muscles. People that have repetitive motions such as painters or plumbers also are likely to get tennis elbow. 3. Age. People between the ages of 30 and 50 are most likely to get tennis elbow from improper technique and lower fitness levels.4. Unknown. Some people get tennis elbow, but have no repetitive

Sources:"Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) -OrthoInfo - AAOS." Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) -OrthoInfo - AAOS. Ortho Info, 1 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 May 2015. .

Jacqueline Perron-Smith

Treatments:- anti-inflammatory medications- brace- physical therapy- shockwave therapy - surgery