Orthopedics:
Conditions
Epicondylitis - Lateral & Medial
Tennis Elbow - Lateral Epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitis, or Tennis Elbow, is marked by pain over the bone on the outside of the elbow. The piece of bone that can be felt on the outside of the elbow is called the lateral epicondyle. When the tendons attached to this bone are overused, they can deteriorate and become inflamed and painful. This damages the forearm extensor muscles, which are active when something is gripped, such as a tennis racquet. However, not only tennis players can be affected by Tennis Elbow. There are many other potential causes.
Tennis Elbow Causes
Despite its name, much more than tennis can cause Tennis Elbow. Some of the conditions or activities that can cause tennis elbow include:
- Improper technique of hitting tennis ball
- Improper size of tennis racquet or tension of racquet strings
- Repetitive arm motions in activities such as golf, tennis, raking, pitching, rowing, painting and using a hammer or screwdriver
- Improper golf swing technique
- Wrong model of golf clubs
- Advancing age
- Work that requires repetitive gripping
Tennis Elbow Symptoms
- Pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow
- Pain when shaking hands, picking up objects palm down, swinging a golf club or hitting a backhand in tennis
- Pain occurs when pressure is applied to the area
- Pain extending down the forearm
- Tightness of forearm muscles
- Stiffness or trouble moving the elbow
Golfer's Elbow - Medial Epicondylitis
Medial epicondylitis, or Golfer's Elbow, is marked by pain over the bone on the inner side of the elbow. The piece of bone that can be felt on the inner side of the elbow is called the medial epicondyle. When the tendons attached to this bone are overstretched or torn, they become inflamed and painful.
Golfer's Elbow Causes
The overuse of the flexor muscles of the forearms causes Golfer's Elbow. Some of the conditions or activities that can cause this include:
- Improper golf swing or grip
- Wrong model of golf clubs
- Improper technique when swinging golf club
- Repetitive arm motions in activities such as golf, tennis, raking, pitching, rowing, painting and using a hammer or screwdriver
- Advancing age
- Work that requires repetitive gripping
If you have questions, or to make an appointment, call: 404-778-3350.
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