Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow

What is Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow?


Epicondylitis affects between 1 and 3% of the world population, making it a very common condition. Around 95% of cases occur in non-federated athletes.
 

What causes Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow?

The injury occurs due to chronic and eccentric overload at the origin of the common extensor of the fingers, which leads to inflammation, tendinosis and, ultimately, rupture of the short extensor carpi radialis.
 

What are the risk factors?


Non-federated recreational tennis or paddle tennis players Desk work involving the use of a mouse or keyboard Sportspeople who go to the gym Manual work involving repetitive movements, such as some factory workers or seamstresses.

Signs and Symptoms of Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow


Pain in the lateral region of the elbow Initially, this pain only appears with exercise, improving at rest, but progressively tends to evolve into a pain that persists even at rest, affecting even the simplest day-to-day movements.
 

Diagnosis of Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow


Physical examination


 
Pain on palpation of the lateral epicondyle and pain against resistance, that is, when the patient is asked to extend the fingers and wrist with the examiner opposing this movement.

X-ray


 
It may be important to exclude other diagnoses such as fractures and allows the identification of calcifications at the insertion of these tendons.

Resonance and Ultrasound

They generally allow a definitive diagnosis to be made and the severity of the injury to be quantified.
 

Treatment for Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow


Decision

 
To decide on the best treatment, it is important to take into account the time the symptoms have been developing, the severity of the pain and disability, the results of the tests carried out and whether any type of treatment has already been tried.

Conservative

 

In general, conservative treatment is always the first option for this pathology.

Treatment options?

    • Oral medication and rest – In the early stages of the disease, this may be enough to improve symptoms.
    • Physiotherapy – When pain persists for more than 3 months and oral medication and rest have not been sufficient, it is generally necessary to start a re-education and rehabilitation program to restore normal homeostasis of the elbow.
    • Infiltrations – PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) – Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is composed of growth factors obtained by centrifuging the patient’s own blood and which are infiltrated into the diseased tendon. The infiltration of these growth factors aims to regenerate the diseased tendon and has proven effective in several scientific studies. It may be necessary to perform more than one infiltration. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and the patient is discharged immediately after the infiltration, if clinically stable.

    Surgical

    • When to perform it? – When, despite conservative treatment, the patient still has significant limitations.
    • Procedure/technique – Release and debridement of the origin of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Short

    Postoperative


      • The patient can be discharged on the same day or the day after surgery.
      • You should wear a brachial suspender for 2 to 4 weeks.
      • Remove the stitches 2 weeks after surgery.
      • You can start passive mobility exercises the day after surgery.

      How to prevent Epicondylitis or Tennis Elbow?


      Healthy lifestyle and practice exercises correctly. Avoid repetitive movements.

       

      When to seek an Orthopedic Specialist?


      When elbow pain does not subside with medication.

       

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        Related topics


        Medial Epicondylitis or Golfer’s Elbow
        Elbow Infiltration
        Infiltration with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRPs)
        Orthobiologicals

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