Featured Topic - Tennis Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis, also known as 'Tennis Elbow' is a common ailment amongst far more than just tennis players. The causes of tennis elbow are many and varied, with tennis actually being on of the lesser common. This instalment of the Featured Topic includes two articles on the subject from our content partners. On this page you will find Article 1, which deals more with the 'classic' idea of tennis elbow.
- Article 1: Intro to Tennis Elbow
- Article 2: Quiz on Tennis Elbow
ARTICLE 1: INTRO TO TENNIS ELBOW
What structures make up the elbow
joint?
The elbow is made up of three bones, which are
connected by muscles, ligaments and tendons. The
humerus is the large upper arm bone. The ulna and
radius are the two bones in the forearm. Looking at the
forearm with the palm of the fingers facing up, the
ulna is located on the inner (medial) aspect of the
forearm. The radius is located on the outer (lateral)
aspect of the forearm. Projecting from the end of the
humerus are the medial and lateral epicondyles. The
epicondyles are the boney attachment sites for many of
the forearm muscles.
The muscles that move the fingers and the wrist start at the elbow. These muscles attach via tendons to the medial and lateral epicondyles. Again, looking at the forearm with the palm of the fingers facing up, the forearm muscles that start on the medial epicondyle help to flex (move upwards, towards the face) the wrist and fingers. The forearm muscles that start on the lateral epicondyle help to extend (move downwards, away from the face) the wrist and fingers.
Example of a common exercise for tennis elbow using Power Web
What is "Tennis Elbow"?
"Tennis Elbow" (a.k.a. lateral epicondylitis) is the
term used to describe irritation (inflammation) of the
tendons that connect the muscles that extend the wrist
and fingers to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow. A
common site for tennis elbow to occur is right at the
attachment site of the tendons to the lateral
epicondyle. Although this site is the most common,
inflammation can occur anywhere along the tendons.
What does tennis elbow feel
like?
Tennis elbow usually begins with a gradual onset of
dull, intermittent in the outer part of the elbow. It
may progress and develop into a sharp continuous pain.
Repetitive use of the elbow or arm can increase the
pain. Tenderness is often present over the lateral
epicondyle of the elbow.
What causes tennis elbow?
Tennis elbow usually develops as a result of overuse.
Repetitive use of the elbow and arm can cause undue
stress on the tendons that extend the wrist and
fingers. This in turn leads to the development of
microscopic tears in the tendons that extend the wrist
and fingers resulting in inflammation and pain.
Training errors, weakness of the forearm muscles, poor
equipment or inadequate off-season training are some of
the other factors that can cause tennis elbow. Finally,
tennis elbow can develop as a result of direct trauma
or after an elbow injury such as a fracture.
Can tennis elbow be detected on
X-rays?
Inflammation of the tendons that extend the wrist and
fingers cannot be seen on x-ray. Therefore, although
x-rays are often done to rule out bony injuries in
individuals with tennis elbow these x-rays are usually
normal. Other diagnostic tests, such as bone scans,
blood work or MRI's, are not usually required in
typical cases of tennis elbow.
What is the treatment for tennis
elbow?
The treatment of tennis elbow should be individualized.
Treatment may include relative rest and icing to
decrease pain around the lateral epicondyle, stretching
and strengthening exercises, anti-inflammatory
medications or a tennis elbow strap. A cortisone
injection may be required to reduce inflammation and
pain. The above measures are usually successful and
surgery is rarely required.
