Lateral Epicondylitis

The painful condition which develops as a result of the strenuously overusing the tendons and muscles of forearm as well as the muscles around elbow joint is known as the tennis elbow.

The condition called tennis elbow is characterised by the presence of inflammation and pain outside the elbow joint. This condition is medically termed the lateral epicondylitis due to the presence of pain on the lateral epicondyle which is the bone present outside the elbow joint.

The presence of symptoms on inner part of elbow joint is known as golfer’s elbow.

The condition is only found in adults. Even though the symptoms vanish without any treatment, the person can use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for easing the inflammation and pain associated with tennis elbow.

One will have to undergo only in severe cases.

Symptoms

The main characteristic symptom of this condition is the tenderness and pain experienced outside the elbow. The pain may also be experienced on forearm, which worsens while moving the hand.

The other symptoms associated with lateral epicondylitis are:

• Pain will be experienced on a recurring basis on the upper forearms’ outside, beneath the elbow bend.
• Pain will be experienced from the arms towards wrist.
• Pain is experienced while bending or lifting the arm.
• Pain while gripping objects like pen
• Pain while writing
• Pain while the forearm is twisted
• The person may not be able to extend the forearm completely.

The pain will be present form six to twelve weeks.

Causes

Repeated tears which occur in the tendons lead to this condition that then develops inflammation. The muscles that help in straightening the wrist if used excessively can cause injuries to the elbow and tendons.
The collagen, a protein, starts leaking out from the area where the injury is present. This leads to the development of inflammation. The tendon that has inflammation cuts off the blood and pinches radial nerve.

The excessive use of forearm muscles leads to the injuries of the tendons of the elbow. The triggers for lateral epicondylitis are:

• Use of shears
• Use of scissors
• Gardening
• Involving in sports that has excessive throwing like cricket
• Swimming
• Any manual work which has lifting of the wrist as well as turning of the wrist in a repetitive way.
• Playing racquet sports as well as
• Typing.

Treatment

Even though the symptoms of lateral epicondylitis are self healing ones, one can opt for treatment in severe cases. The different treatment options available are:

• One can opt for using mild anti-inflammatory analgesics like paracetamol to ease the pain associated with lateral epicondylitis.
• One can use the gels and creams containing anti-inflammatory drugs to rub on the affected area.
• If the condition of lateral epicondylitis is very severe and the movement of the hand is very difficult, then one will be advised to take corticosteroid drugs intravenously. These are injected in the areas where the pain is present.
• If the symptoms of the condition are very severe, then one can go in for physiotherapy to learn exercises for improvement.
• The final option associated with this condition is surgery which is performed if the condition is persistently severe.