THE ELBOW
| The elbow is hinge joint made of three bones, the humerus, radius, and ulna. Surrounding these bones are ligaments and tendons that maintain the relationship of these bones and allow for a smooth arc of movement. | |
TENNIS ELBOW (LATERAL EPICODYLITIS)
Tennis elbow is a very common condition involving pain in the lateral aspect of the elbow. The condition is specifically a tendinosis of the extensor tendons of the wrist. This means that the tendons that help raise the wrist have tiny tears causing pain, weakness, and decreased function of the limb. This can result from playing tennis, but it very commonly occurs in those who do not play tennis as well.
Treatment of tennis elbow is initial rest and anti-inflammatory medications followed by physical therapy. If this is unsuccessful, the diseased area of the elbow can be injected with a new “healing” injection called PRP (platelet rich plasma). This can help heal the tiny tears in the tendon and improve pain and elbow function. Cortisone injections are also an option. Finally, surgery is the last option to treat tennis elbow.
GOLFERS ELBOW (MEDIAL EPICONDYLITIS)
Golfers elbow is less common than tennis elbow but is essentially the same condition, but on the inner side of the elbow. This condition is specifically a tendinosis of the flexor tendons of the wrist. This means that the tendons that help flex the wrist have tiny tears causing pain in the inner aspect of the elbow as well as weakness and decreased function of the limb. This can result from playing golf, but it very commonly occurs in those who do not play golf as well.
Treatment of golfer’s elbow is initial rest and anti-inflammatory medications followed by physical therapy. If this is unsuccessful, the diseased area of the elbow can be injected with a new “healing” injection called PRP (platelet rich plasma). This can help heal the tiny tears in the tendon and improve pain and elbow function. Cortisone injections are also an option. Finally, surgery is the last option to treat golfer’s elbow.