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Definition
Tennis elbow is an inflammation of several structures of the elbow.
These include muscles, tendons, bursa, periosteum, and epicondyle (bony
projections on the outside and inside of the elbow, where muscles of the
forearm attach to the bone of the upper arm). This condition is also
called epicondylitis, lateral epicondylitis, medial epicondylitis, or
golfer's elbow, where pain is present at the inside epicondyle.
Description
The classic tennis elbow is caused by repeated forceful contractions of
wrist muscles located on the outer forearm. The stress, created at a
common muscle origin, causes microscopic tears leading to inflammation.
This is a relatively small surface area located at the outer portion of
the elbow (the lateral epicondyle).
Medial tennis elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is caused by forceful,
repetitive contractions from muscles located on the inside of the forearm.
All of the forearm muscles are involved in tennis serves, when combined
motions of the elbow and wrist are employed. This overuse injury is common
between ages 20-40.
People at risk for tennis elbow are those in occupations that require
strenuous or repetitive forearm movement. Such jobs include mechanics or
carpentry.
Sport activities that require individuals to twist the hand, wrist, and
forearm, such as tennis, throwing a ball, bowling, golfing, and skiing,
can cause tennis elbow. Individuals in poor physical condition, who are
exposed to repetitive wrist and forearm movements for long periods of
time, may also be prone to tennis elbow.
Causes & Symptoms
Tennis elbow pain originates from a partial tear of the tendon and the
attached covering of the bone. It is caused by chronic stress on tissues
attaching forearm muscles to the elbow area. Individuals experiencing
tennis elbow may complain of pain and tenderness over either of the two
epicondyles. This pain increases with gripping or rotation of the wrist
and forearm. If the condition becomes long- standing and chronic, a
decrease in grip strength can develop.
Tennis elbow is usually curable; however, symptoms can become chronic if
not treated correctly. it is not uncommon for conventional treatment to
continue for three to six months or more. Call
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Key Terms
Epicondyle - A projection on the
surface of a bone; often an area for muscle and tendon attachment.
Epicondylitis - A painful and
sometimes disabling inflammation of the muscle and surrounding tissues
of the elbow caused by repeated stress and strain on the forearm near
the lateral epicondyle of the humerous (arm bone).
Periosteum - A fibrous vascular
membrane that covers bones.
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