Lateral Epicondylitis
Lateral Epicondylitis Causes
Tennis elbow is an overuse injury. It is caused by repeated contraction of the forearm muscles that you use to straighten and raise your hand and wrist. The repeated motions and stress to the tissue can result in inflammation or a series of tiny tears in the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the bone at the outside of your elbow.
Lateral Epicondylitis Definition
Lateral epicondylitis is commonly called tennis elbow where the outer part of the elbow becomes painful and tender. Based from the available scientific evidence, tennis elbow is an idiopathic, self-limiting, enthesopathy, of middle age. A lot of other hand and arm conditions, speculative etiologies such as overuse, tennis, etc. has limited scientific support and likely overstated.
Lateral Epicondylitis Diagnosis
To diagnose this disease there are several test that has to be made: X-ray, Magnetic resonance imaging for patients who has severe chronic pain, and biomechanics and motion analysis.
Lateral Epicondylitis Symptoms and Signs
Pain on the outer part of elbow (lateral epicondyle), Point tenderness over the lateral epicondyle a prominent portion of the bone on the outside of the elbow, Gripping and movements of the wrist hurt, particularly wrist extension and lifting movements, Activities that use the muscles that extend the wrist are characteristically painful. Another is morning stiffness is common.
Lateral Epicondylitis Treatment
Non-specific palliative treatments include: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. A counter-force brace or "tennis elbow strap", Heat or ice. While specific treatments with limited scientific support include: Local injection of cortisone and a numbing medicine, Using a splint to keep the forearm and elbow still for 2 to 3 weeks, Heat therapy, Physical therapy.