Elbow Medial Epicondylitis
Epitrochleitis |
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| Written by Garotta Lorenzo |
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Advertise - Pubblicitè - Pubblicità Golfer's elbow (epitrochleitis) is a tendinitis that presents with pain in the medial elbow. It's called "golfer's elbow" because pain can be associated with the intensive practice of golf. It is much more rare than epicondylitis and is associated in 50% of cases with ulnar nerve desease. When the symptoms related to ulnar nerve are very important, treatment can be difficult. We have to look for any instability or ligament injury of the medial side because they can simulate the same symptoms. Most of the time, medical treatment and physio therapy will effect a cure; should medical treatment fail (approximately 10% of cases), surgery may be necessary.
Finally it is important to remember that certain conditions such as carpal tunnel, tendinitis of the rotator cuff or cervical osteoarthritis may be associated with a golfer's elbow.
Causes
Golfer's elbow can also occur in other sports that involve repeated swings (baseball, tennis, athletics ...).
Symptoms
The classic symptom is pain localized in the medial elbow at the medial epicondyle. This pain is aggravated by physical activity and decreases with the rest from sport. Forced pronation increases the pain.
Radiology X-rays are needed to detect possible bone lesions or intra-articular pathology. An ultrasound examination is very useful because it allows visualization of the pathology of tendons. Sometimes an MRI may be necessary to complete the investigation.
Medical therapy and surgery
Golfer's elbow therapy is based primarily on prevention in the practice of the game; some tricks can limit the beginning of this pathology.
Medical therapy includes anti-inflammatory drugs combined with physiotherapy (deep transverse massage, electrical stimulation ...). Some patients may benefit from a course of cortisone to speed healing. Rest from sports may be advisable. If the condition fails to respond to medical treatment, surgery may be proposed: surgical techniques include the removal of diseased tissue and tendon and possible treatment of associated pathology of the ulnar nerve.
Rehabilitation follwing elbow surgery is crucial to obtain a good result and is performed according to well codified protocols. The goal is to start early rehabilitation to prevent stiffness and muscle atrophy. (This website only provides a general guidance: it is essential that you strictly follow the advise given by the surgeon and physiotherapist who are providing the treatment.)
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 11:06 |
