Injuries to the forearm happen when muscles and tendons are strained beyond their capacity. Likewise, joints such as the elbow are more vulnerable when the muscles and tendons supporting them are too weak.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) are two types of inflammations in the tendons that attach to the elbow, with lateral epicondylitis being the most common.
Epicondylitis affects the tendons that bend the wrist towards the back of the hand (lateral or tennis elbow) or the tendons that flex the palm of the hand towards the wrist (medial or golfer’s elbow).
Lateral Epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is the inflammation of the tendons that attach some muscles on the outer part of the elbow to the forearm. It’s caused by repetitive activities involving lifting or raising towards the back of the hand.
Normally, this pathology occurs in people who play tennis, due to the continuous repetition of the movement, although other activities such as rowing, rotating the forearm with weight, or turning a screwdriver forcefully are a potential risk for developing lateral epicondylitis.
Symptoms
The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain on the outer part of the forearm when flexing the wrist towards the back of the hand. At times, this pain extends to the middle area of the forearm.
Additionally, the pain may increase when squeezing the hand tightly or turning a doorknob to open a door. It’s important to mention that if this condition is not addressed correctly, the pain can worsen and become debilitating.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose lateral epicondylitis, a physical examination is necessary where the arm and the palm of the hand are placed on a table, and the hand is lifted by bending the wrist backward and forcing, causing pain on the outer part of the elbow.
The primary treatment includes rest and rehabilitation with flexibility and stretching exercises for the elbow and wrist, avoiding those that cause pain. In some cases, a forearm band may be used to reduce tension in the affected extensor muscles.
To reduce pain, ice or cold compresses can be applied to the outer part of the elbow. When the pain does not improve or is very intense, corticosteroid injections on the outer part of the elbow may be an option.
Typically, surgery is the last resort when conservative treatment fails. A specialist elbow orthopedic surgeon like myself can recommend the most appropriate surgical technique for each case. I am Dr. Emmanuel Ruiz and I will be pleased to assist you!
