Elbow Conditions

Question 1

Lateral Humeral Epicondylitis (Tennis elbow)

Answer 1

Inflammation or microtears in the tendors that attach to the lateral epicondyle, particular the extensor capri radialis breves tendon

-Most common diagnosis for elbow pain

• It is a tendinopathy injury involving the extensor muscles of the forearm and is caused by repetitive strain or blow to the lateral epicondyle. Repetitive wrist and arm movements or direct trauma to elbow.
• Extensor Capri Radialis Brevis is the most frequently involved muscle, pain at lateral epicondyle and might radiate distally into forearm
• Equal Male to Female ratio
• Usually affects people 30-55 y/o
• Young patients – Athletic activities such as racket or throwing sports with an estimated 40-50% tennis players experience LHE in their lifetime.
• Older patients – Based on their Occupational activities e.g. carpenter

Question 2

Medial Humeral Epicondylitis (Golfers elbow)

Answer 2

-Most common cause of medial elbow pain although is 10x less common than LHE.

-Male to Female ratio 2: 1

-Usually affects people between the ages of 30-50

-And can be categorised into two types Tendoperiosteal variety and musculotendinous variety, with compression of the ulnar nerve occurring in 50% of cases causing numbness and tingling in the 4th and 5th digits

-It is caused by direct blow or repetitive stress causing microtrauma and inflammation leading to fibroplastic degeneration and rupture

-It is common in occupation such as Plumbers with Golfers also having a high incidence

Pain when grasping or twisting

Question 3

Bicep Tendon Rupture

Answer 3

-There are multiple sites for biceps lesion with 90-97% of all biceps ruptures occurring proximally at the Tendon-Labral junction involving the long head with the remaining ruptures occurring distally at the insertion of the radial tuberosity

-It is Most common in 40-60 y/o with history of shoulder problems and secondary to chronic wear of tendon

-It can be caused by macro trauma resulting in subacromial impingement or rotator cuff tear as well as excessive loading or rapid stress upon the tendon such as weightlifting

-With Men being more affected than Women due to occupational and recreational activities

-And symptoms include pain decreased ROM and decreased strength