Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Lateral epicondylitis is and overuse injury.  It is inflammation or swelling of the tendon (connects muscle to bone) that bring your wrist back/up.  A common name for this condition is tennis elbow due to the common occurrence in tennis players due to the tennis stroke.  “Tennis elbow” can be caused by several factors; faulty mechanics (leading with the elbow or hitting off center), poorly fitted equipment (handle too short or strings too tight) and age. 

Signs and symptoms

• Pain on outside of elbow (palm facing up)

• Pain may radiate into forearm

• Pain initially subsides but becomes worse with repetition

Assessment

• Athletic Trainer or Physician may diagnose or assess injury

• History

• Coffee cup test; pain increases when picking up a full coffee cup

• Tennis elbow test; pain over outside of elbow when bringing wrist back against a force

Management

• Ice

• Rest

• Compression

• NSAIDS

• Support; a strap around forearm placed 2-3 inches below elbow

• Rehabilitation

• Wrist curls; use a can of soup or water bottle grasped in hand and bring hand back

• Flexibility exercises; use other hand to stretch wrist up and down

• Gradually return to normal activities

Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers elbow)

Medial epicondylitis is an overuse injury.  It is inflammation or swelling of the tendon that brings your wrist forward/down.  “Golfers elbow” is very similar to “Tennis elbow” except for the location of the pain and inflammation.  This injury occurs to the tendon that helps bring your wrist down/forward.  This can be caused by repetitive stress to the tendons, or a sudden blow such as a divot. 

Signs and Symptoms

• Swelling and pain with touch over inner part of elbow (palm up), part closest to your body

• Increase in pain with bringing your wrist down

• Pain may worsen with activity; swinging golf club, shake hands or turn a doorknob

• Weakness in hand or wrist

Assessment

• Athletic Trainer or Physician my diagnose or assess the injury

• History

• Medial epicondylitis test; pain over inner elbow when bringing wrist down against a force

Management

• Ice

• Rest

• NSAIDS

• Rehabilitation

• Similar to “Tennis Elbow” however in opposite direction

• Gradually return to normal activity

 

Katelyn Mueller, ATC 

Katelyn Mueller, ATC, is a second year graduate student and recipient of the Hughston Athletic Training Fellowship in Columbus, Georgia. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training and Spanish, with a minor in Strength and Conditioning, from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

Katelyn is a current member of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association (GLATA) and the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers Association (WATA).

Currently, she serves as the Head Athletic Trainer at Harris County High School, Hamilton, Georgia.