What is Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) or Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)?
Lateral Epicondylitis is the inflammation of the tendons (the attachment of muscle to bone) of the wrist and hand straighteners at their place of origin on the outside edge of the elbow.
Medial Epicondylitis is the inflammation of the tendons (the attachment of muscle to bone) of the wrist and hand benders at their place of origin on the inside edge of the elbow.
With repetitive or forceful use of the arm, these tendons can become inflamed and develop microscopic tears. Eventually the tissue at the attachment site becomes disorganized and strained and then loses its good blood supply, causing further degeneration.
Symptoms
Pain at the bony edges of the elbow with site-specific tenderness.
Pain may radiate up and down the arm as the tissue degeneration progresses.
Weakness with grasping of objects and lifting objects.
Pain with lifting objects, even something as light as a coffee cup, particularly if the elbow is straight.
Common Treatments may include:
Use of a tennis elbow strap to alter the amount of force being driven to the muscle origin.
Use of a wrist brace, splint or orthotic to limit the amount of tension being placed on the muscle origin.
When lifting or carrying objects, hold them in closely to the body. Avoid lifting with the elbow straight.
For tennis elbow, avoid lifting objects with the palm facing down towards the floor. Scoop the object up and hold it close to the body with the palms up.
Use of Heat and cold
Use cold packs for acute pain or swelling.
Use heat packs to control more chronic pain or relax the muscles.
Wearing a light elbow sleeve at night may help control swelling and provide a comforting, neutral warmth.
Perform forearm stretching exercises.
Use of topical pain relieving creams if helpful and as needed.
Modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation and iontophoresis may be helpful to reduce pain and inflammation.
Therapeutic taping may be helpful to reduce pain and provide gentle support.
A short course of anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs, may be helpful as prescribed by an MD or over-the-counter (Advil, Aleve) if not contraindicated by other medical conditions.
A Cortisone injection at the site of elbow pain may be helpful to reduce inflammation.
If conservative treatment methods do not alleviate the symptoms, surgical options may be considered.