Lateral epicondylitis Vs Medial Epicondylitis
also known as tennis elbow, is a common problem among physically active people and, as the name suggests, tennis players in
particular. Anyone who performs repetitive movements of the elbow, like a carpenter or painter, or who repeatedly moves the
wrist forward and backward, such as tennis players on their backhand stroke, is susceptible. Such motions can strain tendons
in the arm. Over time, the strain causes inflammation of the muscles and soft tissues around the elbow, and can also cause
muscles in the arm to become unbalanced.
Ideally, extensor muscles, which
pull the wrist up, work with equal force to flexor muscles, which pull the wrist down. But when one group is weaker than the
other, problems can develop. With tennis elbow, the extensor muscle group on the outside of the forearm often becomes weak
or relatively weaker than the flexor muscles on the inner forearm, leading to a muscle imbalance and ultimately inflammation
Tennis elbow can also develop
in people who have good muscle balance but overuse their wrist extensor muscles. This is commonly referred to as a repetitive
strain injury, and also leads to inflammation. Regardless of the cause, however, we can decrease inflammation, restore proper
muscle balance if necessary and help improve your pain-free range of motion.
commonly affects golfers, baseball pitchers and almost anyone who overuses his or her wrist or elbow during work or sports.
In the case of baseball, think of a pitcher winding up, throwing his arm back and releasing the ball as he brings his arm
round and snaps his wrist downwards. This motion is wrist flexion. If the pitcher wants the ball to curve to the side he's
throwing from (what pitchers call a screw ball), he'll have to snap his wrist inward as well, as if he were unscrewing a light
bulb. This motion is wrist pronation. Movements combining flexion and pronation are the major cause of medial epicondylitis.
Patients with the condition feel
pain in the elbow, on the inside where there's a bony bump. They also commonly have an ache or pain around the inside of their
elbow joint and possibly in the surrounding muscles. When they lift their wrist with the palm up, as if they were picking
up a table, the pain worsens, and movements that involve flexion or pronation can be unbearable.
Any activity that involves repetitive
flexion and pronation, like hammering, golfing and playing tennis, can lead to medial epicondylitis. During these activities,
excessive force on the wrist flexors, which are muscles that connect the wrist to the elbow, can strain the inner part of
the elbow joint. The body reacts to this strain with painful inflammation.
If left untreated, the condition can become chronic, so it's important
to deal with this properly. We use a variety of management techniques and often prescribe exercises and therapy to support
and strengthen the elbow joint.
Call us we can help 718-823-3900