Tennis elbow

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Tennis elbow
Classification and external resources
Left elbow-joint, showing posterior and radial collateral ligaments. (Lateral epicondyle visible at center.)
ICD-10	M77.1
ICD-9	726.32
DiseasesDB	12950
eMedicine	orthoped/510 pmr/64sports/59
MeSH	D013716

Tennis portal

Tennis elbow is a condition where the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. It is a condition that is commonly associated with playing tennis and other racquet sports, though the injury can happen to almost anybody.^[1]

The condition is more formally known as lateral epicondylitis ("inflammation to the outside elbow bone")^[2], lateral epicondylosis, or simply lateral elbow pain.

The condition was first described in 1883.^[3].

Contents [hide] 1 Symptoms 2 Etiology 3 Exams and tests 4 Treatment 4.1 Cortisone injections 4.2 Laser therapy 5 Exercises and stretches 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit]Symptoms

• Pain on the outer part of elbow (lateral epicondyle).
• Point tenderness over the lateral epicondyle--a prominent part of the bone on the outside of the elbow.
• Gripping and movements of the wrist hurt, especially wrist extension and lifting movements.
• Activities that uses the muscles that extend the wrist (e.g. pouring a pitcher or gallon of milk, lifting with the palm down) are characteristically painful.
• Morning stiffness.

[edit]Etiology

The strongest risk factor for lateral epicondylosis is age. The peak incidence is between 30 to 60 years of age. No difference in incidence between men and women or association between tennis elbow and the dominant hand has been demonstrated.

The pathophysiology of lateral epicondylosis is degenerative. Non-inflammatory, chronic degenerative changes of the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle are identified in surgical pathology specimens.^[4] It is unclear if the pathology is affected by prior injection ofcorticosteroid.

Among tennis players, it is believed to be caused by the "repetitive nature of hitting thousands and thousands of tennis balls" which lead to tiny tears in the forearm tendon attachment at the elbow.^[2]

The following speculative rationale is offered by proponents^[who?] of an overuse theory of etiology: The extensor carpi radialis brevis has a small origin and does transmit large forces through its tendon during repetitive grasping. It has also been implicated as being vulnerable during shearing stresses during all movements of the forearm.

While it is commonly stated that lateral epicondlyosis is caused by repetitive microtrauma/overuse, this is a speculative etiological theory with limited scientific support that is likely overstated.^[4] Other speculative risk factors for lateral epicondylosis include taking up tennis later in life, unaccustomed strenuous activity, decreased reaction times and speed and repetitive eccentric muscle contractions (controlled lengthening of a muscle group).

[edit]Exams and tests

The diagnosis is made by clinical signs and symptoms, which are usually both discrete and characteristic. There should be point tenderness over the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle from the lateral epicondyle (ECRB origin). There should also be pain with passive wrist flexion and also with resisted wrist extension (Cozen's test), both tested with the elbow extended.^[5]

MRI typically shows fluid in the ECRB origin. There may also be a defect in this tissue. The use of the word "tear" to refer to this defect can be misleading. The word "tear" implies injury and the need for repair--both of which are probably inaccurate and inappropriate for this degenerative enthesopathy.

[edit]Treatment

In general the evidence base for intervention measures is poor.^[6]

Non-specific palliative treatments include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin
• Heat or ice
• A counter-force brace or "tennis elbow strap" to reduce strain at the elbow epicondyle, to limit pain provocation and to protect against further damage.

Rest is the tennis player's treatment of choice when the pain first appears; the rest allows the tiny tears in the tendon attachment to heal.^[2] Tennis players treat more serious cases with ice^[7], anti-inflammatory drugs, soft tissue massage, stretching exercises, and ultrasound therapy.^[8]

Other 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 two to three weeks
• Heat therapy
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy, primarily for stretching and strengthening of the wrist extensor musculature.
• Pulsed ultrasound to break up scar tissue, promote healing, and increase blood flow in the area
• Extra-corporeal shock wave therapy (lithotriptor)
• Botulinum toxin
• Blood injection (possibly augmented by plateletpheresis)
• Sclerotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Platelet-rich plasma^[9]

There are clinical trials addressing many of these proposed curative treatments, but the quality of these trials is generally poor.^[10]

One study has alleged that electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture is beneficial but evaluation studies are inconclusive.^[11]

[edit]Cortisone injections

In four clinical trials comparing corticosteroid injection to placebo (lidocaine) injection that show no effect of the steroids.^[12] Complications from repeated steroid injections include skin problems such as hypopigmentation and fat atrophy.

[edit]Laser therapy

Laser Therapy has also been used. The approach was spun off of research on how light affects cells. The findings, that light stimulates and accelerates normal healing, sparked the creation of several devices. The dosage often determines the extent of the success with this treatment, so it is generally recommended that experienced clinicians apply the therapy with a device that can be 'customized.' Professional athletes have used the therapy and it has gained attention in the media lately, on shows like the Canadian health program "Balance" on CTV. However, studies evaluating the efficacy of laser therapy for tennis elbow are currently contradictory.

[edit]Exercises and stretches

There are several recommendations regarding prevention, treatment, and avoidance of recurrence that are largely speculative including:

1. Stretches and progressive strengthening exercises to prevent re-irritation of the tendon^[13];
2. Progressive strengthening involving use of weights or elastic theraband to increase pain free grip strength and forearm strength;
3. Racquet sport players also are commonly advised to strengthen their shoulder rotator cuff, scapulothoracic and abdominal muscles by Physiotherapists to help reduce any overcompensation in the wrist extensors during gross shoulder and arm movements;
4. Soft Tissue Release or simply Massage can help reduce the muscular tightness and reduce the tension on the tendons; and
5. Strapping of the forearm can help realign the muscle fibers and redistribute the load.
6. Use of a racket designed to dampen the effect of ball striking.

There is little evidence to support the value of these interventions for prevention, treatment, or avoidance of recurrence of lateral epicondylosis.^[4]

[edit]See also

• Golfer's elbow
• Repetitive strain injury
• Radial tunnel syndrome
• Dyson Elbow

[edit]References

General references:

• Wilson JJ, Best TM (2005). "Common overuse tendon problems: A review and recommendations for treatment". Am Fam Physician 72 (5): 811-8. PMID 16156339} Full article PDF.

Specific references:

1. ^ Tennis elbow: even cricketers and housewives can get it, a Times of India article dated September 4, 2004
2. ^ ^{a b c} What is tennis elbow? from the BBC Sport Academy website
3. ^ Kaminsky SB, Baker CL Jr (2003). "Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow". Tech Hand Up Extrem Surg 7 (4): 179–89. doi:10.1097/00130911-200312000-00009. PMID 16518219.
4. ^ ^{a b c} Boyer MI, Hastings H 2nd. Lateral tennis elbow: "Is there any science out there?". J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1999 Sep-Oct;8(5):481-91. Review.
5. ^ Tennis elbow from the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
6. ^ Bisset L, Paungmali A, Vicenzino B, Beller E (2005). "A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on physical interventions for lateral epicondylalgia". Br J Sports Med 39 (7): 411–22; discussion 411–22.doi:10.1136/bjsm.2004.016170. PMID 15976161 abstract.
7. ^ The effectiveness of ice treatment has been challenged in clinical research: Manias P, Stasinopoulos D (2006). "A controlled clinical pilot trial to study the effectiveness of ice as a supplement to the exercise programme for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy". Br J Sports Med 40 (1): 81–5. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2005.020909. PMID 16371498 abstract.
8. ^ How to treat tennis elbow from the BBC Sport Academy website
9. ^ Mishra A, Pavelko T. Treatment of chronic elbow tendinosis with buffered platelet-rich plasma. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34:1774-1778
10. ^ Cowan J, Lozano-Calderón S, Ring D. Quality of prospective controlled randomized trials. Analysis of trials of treatment for lateral epicondylitis as an example. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007 Aug;89(8):1693-9.
11. ^ Jiang ZY, Li CD, Guo JH, Li JC, Gao L (2005). "Controlled observation on electroacupuncture combined with cake-separated moxibustion for treatment of tennis elbow". Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 25 (11): 763–4. PMID 16335198.
12. ^ Haines T, Stringer B. Corticosteroid injections or physiotherapy were not more effective than wait and see for tennis elbow at 1 year. Evid Based Med. 2007 Apr;12(2):39.
13. ^ Stasinopoulos D, Stasinopoulou K, Johnson MI (2005). "An exercise programme for the management of lateral elbow tendinopathy". Br J Sports Med 39 (12): 944–7. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2005.019836. PMID 16306504 abstract.

[edit]External links

• Tennis elbow from Medinfo

[show] v • d • e Soft tissue disorders (M65-M79, 725-727)

[show] v • d • e Inflammation

Categories: Inflammations | Overuse injuries | Tennis terminology