Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Epicondylitis

Tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis -- lat. epicondylitis lateralis humeri) is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and tender, usually as a result of a specific strain or overuse. While it is called tennis elbow, it should be noted that it is by no means restricted to tennis players. Anyone who does a lot of work involving lifting at the elbow or repetitive movements at the wrist is susceptible to tennis elbow. more...

Home
Diseases
A
B
C
D
E
Ebola hemorrhagic fever
Ebstein's anomaly
Eclampsia
Ectodermal Dysplasia
Ectopic pregnancy
Ectrodactyly
Edwards syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Ehrlichiosis
Eisoptrophobia
Elective mutism
Electrophobia
Elephantiasis
Ellis-Van Creveld syndrome
Emetophobia
Emphysema
Encephalitis
Encephalitis lethargica
Encephalocele
Encephalomyelitis
Encephalomyelitis, Myalgic
Endocarditis
Endocarditis, infective
Endometriosis
Endomyocardial fibrosis
Enetophobia
Enterobiasis
Eosinophilia-myalgia...
Eosinophilic fasciitis
Eosophobia
Ependymoma
Epicondylitis
Epidermolysis bullosa
Epidermolytic hyperkeratosis
Epididymitis
Epilepsy
Epiphyseal stippling...
Epistaxiophobia
EPP (erythropoietic...
Epstein barr virus...
Equinophobia
Ergophobia
Erysipelas
Erythema multiforme
Erythermalgia
Erythroblastopenia
Erythromelalgia
Erythroplakia
Erythropoietic...
Esophageal atresia
Esophageal varices
Esotropia
Essential hypertension
Essential thrombocythemia
Essential thrombocytopenia
Essential thrombocytosis
Euphobia
Evan's syndrome
Ewing's Sarcoma
Exencephaly
Exophthalmos
Exostoses
Exploding head syndrome
Hereditary Multiple...
Hereditary Multiple...
Hereditary Multiple...
Hereditary Multiple...
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Medicines

With tennis elbow, the common extensor tendon origin at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus is irritated, inflamed, damaged and potentionally torn.

In the case of tennis elbow, most tennis players with harder, more forceful serves feel gradually worsening pain after ten to twenty serves have been hit. The stress on the elbow can be great due to the centrifugal force applied to it. This force can, over a short period of minutes, develop into the specific problem known as tennis elbow.

Symptoms

  • Outer part of elbow (lateral epicondyle) tender to touch.
  • Lateral elbow pain radiating to extensor aspect of the forearm.
  • Movements of the elbow or wrist hurt, especially lifting movements.
  • Exquiste tenderness to touch, and elbow pain on simple actions such as lifting up a cup of coffee.
  • Pain usually subsides overnight.
  • If no treatment given, can become chronic and more difficult to erradicate.

Treatment

Rest and ice are the treatment of choice. Stretches and stengthining excercises are essential to prevent re-irritation of the tendon. Acupuncture has been proven to be beneficial. With physiotherapy, Ultrasound can be used to reduce the inflamation. Manual therapy (a form of physiotherapy) is an important part of the treatment; it helps to relieve the muscle spasm and helps to stretch out the tightened tissues.

As a last resort, intra-articular steroid injections can give symptomatic relief for a period of time. Splints may be helpful if the tendon is torn. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce pain, and inflamation. If conservative measures fail, release of the common extensor origin may be helpful.

Although not necessarily founded in clinical research, the tennis player's treatment of choice is frequent icing for inflammation, and taking ibuprofen, itself an anti-inflamatory agent.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


OUTCOME OF BOYD-MCLEOD PROCEDURE FOR RECALCITRANT LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS
From Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1/1/04 by Satheesan, K S

This study presents the clinical outcome of BoydMcLeod procedure for lateral epicondylitis of elbow. 29 cases with lateral epicondylitis with failed conservative management (rest, physiotherapy, analgesia and steroid injections) were included in the study. There were 14 male, and 15 female cases of which two had bilateral surgery. Data collection included details of patients' occupation, number of steroid injections, radiograph evaluation and postoperative complications. Post-operative clinical out come was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery Total Elbow Scoring System (HSS2). clinical notes review, and telephone questionnaire.

Average age: 47 years (range: 34-65). mean post-op follow up time: 16 months (range: 6-32). 93% were manual workers. Dominant elbow involvement was seen in 64%. Mean number of steroid injections: 3 (range: 1-10). Conservative measures included NSAIDS (90%) and physiotherapy (83%). Average tourniquet time: 32 min (range: 18-59). Mean HSS2 score pre-op and post-op were 38 and 92 respectively (p value: 0.0001). 91% reported excellent/good results. Average post-op time for the continuation of professional/recreational activity was 5 weeks. 2 cases (9%) had poor results. One case had ectopic bone formation.

Boyd-McLeod procedure is done as a day case procedure involving excision of degenerative tissue from common extensor origin, decortication and decompression of lateral epicondyle and partial release of annular ligament. Although an extensive procedure, this procedure addresses the management of all offending factors that are likely to contribute to pain and disability in tennis elbow. There are few studies regarding the outcome of Boyd-McLeod procedure. There was no evidence to suggest that late presentation had any adverse effect on the post-op success. This study revealed a high success rate and a low complication rate. We conclude that Boyd-McLeod procedure is an effective treatment option in patients with resistant lateral epicondylitis.

KS Satheesan, VRM Ready, NC Bayliss

University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton on

Tees, UK, TS19 8PE

Copyright British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Return to Epicondylitis
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay