Tennis Elbow Causes and Treatment

Tennis Elbow Definition

It is the inflammation of extensor tendons arising from the lateral epicondyle. It is due to overuse of the extensor muscles of the forearm

1. The cause is not known, but it is seldom due to tennis.

Tennis Elbow Incidence

Common in players of lawn tennis or table tennis.

It is the most common cause of elbow pain in orthopaedic clinics.

Read And Learn More: Anatomy Notes And Important Question And Answers

Tennis Elbow Common in

1. Tennis players,
2. Violinists, and
3. Housewives.

Tennis Elbow Structure involved:

The extensor muscles of the forearm.

Tennis Elbow It is precipitated by

1. Small minor trauma to the origin of the extensor tendons.
2. Usually there is a history of unaccustomed activities such as

1. House painting, or
2. Carpentry.

Tennis Elbow Causes

The pain may be due to damage to the following structures

1. Degeneration or tearing of the fibres of extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle mainly,
2. Sprain of radial collateral ligament,
3. Inflammation of periosteum around lateral epicondyle, and
4. Partial tearing or degeneration of the origin of the superficial extensor muscles.

Tennis Elbow Clinical manifestation

1. Symptoms:

Pain is felt over the lateral epicondyle. It radiates to the posterior surface of the forearm. Pain is due to inflammation of the

1. Ligament: Radial collateral ligament.

2. Bone: Periosteum around its attachment to the lateral epicondyle.

3. Muscle

1. Tearing of the fibres of extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle (main)
2. Strain or tear of common extensor origin.

4. Bursa: Inflammation of the bursa underneath the extensor carpi radialis brevis.

5. It is aggravated by movements such as

1. Lifting a glass,
2. Pouring out tea,
3. Turning a stiff door handle,
4. Opening a door, and
5. Shaking hands or lifting with the forearm pronated.

2. On examination

1. The elbow looks normal,

2. Flexion and extension are full and painless,

3. Characteristically there is localized tenderness just below the lateral epicondyle,

4. Pain can be reproduced by

1. Passively stretching the wrist extensors, or
2. Actively extending the wrist with the elbow straight.

Tennis Elbow Treatment

1. Rest,

2. Avoid precipitating activity, to allow the lesion to heal.

3. In cases of severe pain, a mixture of methylprednisolone and lignocaine is injected at the site.

4. The surgery is advised in persistent cases.

N.B: The ‘medical term’ for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis, i.e. inflammation of the tissues surrounding the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Tennis elbow is by far the most common cause of elbow pain in patients attending orthopaedic clinics.

Compare Upper Limb With The Lower Limb

Originally all four limbs were used for locomotion. They have the same basic pattern, for Example.; the palm and sole have histologically thick skin.

As they serve different functions, there are some differences.

Compare the upper limb with the lower limb